Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Corporal

    Regiment:

    127th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    32d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    August 4, 1918

    War Department, General Orders 95 (1919)

    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 Corporal John G. Kochanik (ASN: 274833), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company K, 127th Infantry Regiment, 32d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Fismes, France, 4 August 1918. Ordering his squad to take cover, Corporal Kochanik, single-handed, rushed an enemy machine gun and killed the two Germans manning it. As he was turning the captured gun on the enemy, this courageous soldier was killed by a sniper.