Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Private First Class

    Regiment:

    311th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    78th Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    September 25 – 26, 1918

    War Department, General Orders 78 (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 Private First Class Benjamin G. Irons (ASN: 2411507), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Medical Detachment, 311th Infantry Regiment (Attached), 78th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Vieville-en-Haye, France, September 25 – 26, 1918. Private Irons, with another soldier, advanced to an exposed position, and while administering first aid to a wounded man the three were suddenly surrounded and captured by a party of the enemy. While being taken toward the German lines, Private Irons and his companion attacked their captors and succeeded in freeing themselves, at the same time capturing two Germans, whom they brought to battalion headquarters, together with the wounded man.