Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Infantry)

    Regiment:

    356th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    89th Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    November 4 – 10, 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 First Lieutenant (Infantry) Harold Wygant Kenaston, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 356th Infantry Regiment, 89th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Pouilly, France, November 4 – 10, 1918. On November 4 Lieutenant Kenaston was severely gassed during a heavy shelling, but remained on duty. On 5 November still suffering from the effects of the gas, he volunteered and went to a nearby town to assist in the work of supplying reserve rations for the command, working continuously for two days and two nights under terrific fire. During the night of November 10-11 he guided an element to the pontoon crossing the Meuse, and, while returning, he was rendered unconscious by a shell explosion. Gaining consciousness, he voluntarily started on a search for a part of his command, which had been lost in the dense fog.