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Navy Federal Credit Union

By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), First Lieutenant (Infantry) Joseph M. Davidson, United States Army, is cited (Posthumously) by the Commanding General, American Expeditionary Forces, for gallantry in action and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the Victory Medals awarded him. First Lieutenant Davidson distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving with the 318th Infantry Regiment, 80th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in action near La Polka Farm, France, 1 October 1918, in leading his platoon forward against an enemy machine gun nest.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Infantry)

    Regiment:

    318th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    80th Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    November 4, 1918
    War Department, General Orders No. 3 (1922)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Joseph M. Davidson, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 318th Infantry Regiment, 80th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near La Polka Farm, France, 4 November 1918. First Lieutenant Davidson’s line was stopped 300 yards from the La Polka Farm by a terrific concentration of machine-gun fire directed from the high ground and woods on the farm. By his coolness and courage he quickly collected together a platoon, and leading them across open ground swept by machine-gun fire, he attacked the machine guns. Just before reaching the enemy, Lieutenant Davidson was killed, but his men, inspired by his coolness and devotion, fought on and captured the machine-gun nests.