Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Sergeant

    Regiment:

    18th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    1st Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    October 4 – 5, 1918

    War Department, General Orders No. 35 (1920)

    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 Sergeant Michael J. Donahue (ASN: 46744), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company H, 18th Infantry Regiment, 1st Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Exermont, France, October 4 – 5, 1918. On 4 October assisted by a small group of his platoon, Sergeant Donahue attacked an enemy machine-gun nest and captured it. On the following day, while attacking an enemy machine-gun nest, his platoon was repulsed with many casualties. Accompanied by a comrade, he advanced through heavy machine-gun fire and brought in the wounded men to safety. He then reorganized his platoon and made a second attack on the enemy position, capturing the gun and crew.