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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), Private Pasquale Elia (ASN: 542705), United States Army, is cited (Posthumously) by the Commanding General, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the World War I Victory Medals awarded him. While serving with Company K, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, at Cierges, France, on 5 October 1918, the advance of his company having been stopped by double bands of machine gun fire, Private Elia, without orders, crawled to an exposed position of the greatest danger and, with his automatic rifle, killed eighteen German snipers, thereby throwing their defense into such a state of disorganization that his company was able to reach its objective. He continued firing until he was killed. [A Distinguished Service Cross was awarded for this action.]

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Private

    Regiment:

    7th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    October 5, 1918
    War Department, General Orders No. 10 (1920)

    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 Private Pasquale Elia (ASN: 542705), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company K, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Cierges, France, 5 October 1918. Private Elia, on his own initiative, advanced to an exposed position of great danger, and with his automatic rifle killed 18 Germans. Due to the individual efforts of this soldier his company was able to advance. He continued his fire until he was killed.