Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Corporal

    Regiment:

    132d Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    33d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    July 4, 1918

    War Department, General Orders 81 (1919)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Corporal John De Smidt (ASN: 1390996), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company G, 132d Infantry Regiment, 33d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, at Hamel, Belgium, 4 July 1918, With the assistance of an Australian soldier, Corporal De Smidt crept up on the position of an enemy machine-gun, captured the gun and forced its crew to carry it back to our lines.