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 First Lieutenant (Infantry) Chester Roe Howard, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 104th Infantry Regiment, 26th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Belleau Wood, France, 20 July 1918. Lieutenant Howard was wounded early in the action, but set a splendid example of personal bravery by retaining command of his company and leading it through a violent artillery and machine-gun barrage until he fell exhausted after advancing 200 meters.
Sponsored by:
Chester
Roe
Howard
KIA (WWI)
May 1, 1894
–
October 16, 1918
Cemetery:
Mount Vernon Cemetery
Awards Received
-
Distinguished Service Cross
-
Silver Star
-
Distinguished Service Cross
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
First Lieutenant (Infantry)Regiment:
104th Infantry RegimentDivision:
26th Division, American Expeditionary ForcesAction Date:
July 20, 1918
War Department, General Orders No. 125 (1918) -
Silver Star
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
First Lieutenant (Infantry)Regiment:
104th Infantry RegimentDivision:
26th Division, American Expeditionary ForcesAction Date:
October 16, 1918
GHQ, American Expeditionary Forces, Citation Orders No. 8 (March 1, 1920)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) Chester R. Howard, United States Army, is cited (Posthumously) by the Commanding General, American Expeditionary Forces, for gallantry in action and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the Victory Medals awarded him. First Lieutenant Howard distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving with the 104th Infantry Regiment, 26th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in action in the Bois d’Haumont, north of Verdun, France, 16 October 1918, while leading his company to the objective.