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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 Orville Hardy, Jr. (ASN: 549164), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Machine-Gun Company, 38th Infantry Regiment, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Mezy, France, 15 July 1918. Corporal Hardy remained with his gun after all the other members of his gun crew were killed or wounded. He continued to fire until his ammunition was exhausted, then removed the firing mechanism and returned to our lines, fighting his way with his pistol.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Corporal

    Regiment:

    38th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    July 15, 1918
    Headquarters, 3d Division, A.E.F., Citation Orders No. 22 (July 8, 1919)

    By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Corporal Orville Hardy, Jr. (ASN: 549164), United States Army, is cited 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 the Machine-Gun Company, 38th Infantry Regiment, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, Corporal Hardy remained at his gun under machine gun, artillery and rifle fire, after all his gun squad had been wounded or killed, and continued to fire the gun until the last cartridge was fired. He then removed the firing mechanism of the gun and fought his way back to the infantry line with his pistol. [A Distinguished Service Cross was awarded for this action.]