Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Sergeant

    Regiment:

    302d Engineer Regiment

    Division:

    77th Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    August 18, 1918

    War Department, General Orders No. 37 (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 Sergeant Jules Gingras, Jr. (ASN: 1717529), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company F, 302d Engineers, 77th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Ville-Savoye, France, 18 August 1918. Sergeant Gingras voluntarily plunged into the Vesle River to rescue some soldiers who had fallen into the water with full packs while crossing a footbridge and were in danger of drowning. In order to see, he removed his gas mask, and as a result was severely the succeeding three days and nights without food he controlled the firing line of the advanced position until badly wounded by shrapnel.