Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Infantry)

    Regiment:

    30th 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), First Lieutenant (Infantry) Harry Holliday, 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, 30th Infantry Regiment, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, Lieutenant Holliday was wounded in the spine during the enemy’s barrage west of Mezy, France, on 15 July 1918, but he refused to go to the rear for first aid, took charge of his squad and by pistol fire and hand grenades protected the flank of his gun from the enemy that advanced as far as the muzzle of his machine gun. While helping to reduce a “jam” on his gun, he was wounded in the arm by a piece of hand grenade and then he still insisted upon protecting his gun’s flank. He had his gun working for ten hours, which was more than four hours after his regular supply of ammunition gave out. Upon being forced to retreat he reorganized a platoon from his squad of machine gunners, and stragglers and fought a retiring action for over a mile. At night he brought his squad out of the battle and only went to the hospital when ordered to do so. [A Distinguished Service Cross was awarded for this action.]

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Infantry)

    Regiment:

    30th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    July 15, 1918

    War Department, General Orders No. 32 (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 First Lieutenant (Infantry) Harry Holliday, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Machine-Gun Company, 30th Infantry Regiment, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Mezy, France, 15 July 1918. Although wounded during the enemy’s barrage, Lieutenant Holliday remained in charge of his gun squad, protecting it from the flank with pistol and hand grenades. He was again wounded by hand grenade but persisted in protecting the flank of the gun, though the enemy had advanced as close as the muzzle. After keeping his gun in action for ten hours he organized a platoon of his gunners and stragglers and fought a retiring action for over a mile. He remained with his men until ordered to the hospital on account of his wounds.