Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Infantry)

    Regiment:

    113th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    29th Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    October 11 – 25, 1918

    War Department, General Orders No. 15 (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) William S. Landes, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 113th Infantry Regiment, 29th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, north of Samogneux, France, October 11 – 25, 1918. Lieutenant Landes, acting as regimental munitions officer, was wounded early in the action but remained on duty for two weeks supervising the distribution of ammunition to the front line battalions. Through his untiring efforts and utter disregard of personal danger under heavy shell fire an adequate supply of ammunition to the battalions in the line was constantly maintained. After the attack on the Bois d’Etrayes, 24 October when liaison with the advance battalion had been broken by the intense bombardment, this officer volunteered to proceed to the position occupied by this battalion and returned with valuable information as to the location of the front line.