Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Private

    Regiment:

    127th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    32d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    August 31, 1918

    War Department, General Orders No. 6, 1932

    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 Private Helmuth Bernheart Dewitz (ASN: 81023), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company D, 127th Infantry Regiment, 32d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, at Juvigny, north of Soissons, France, 31 August 1918. Private Dewitz was a member of a party who assisted in attacking a machine-gun nest held by approximately 70 Germans. Under terrific fire from the enemy who laid down an artillery barrage upon their position, they concentrated their rifle fire so effectively that 32 Germans surrendered within an hour. After the prisoners had been brought in, Private Dewitz, with another soldier, using a captured German gun, established a machine-gun position under heavy fire from both artillery and machine guns and delivered fire upon enemy positions.