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Navy Federal Credit Union

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 Private Emory Mahaffey (ASN: 2683), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Medical Detachment, 28th Infantry Regiment (Attached), 1st Division, American Expeditionary Forces, at Cantigny, France May 28 – 29, 1918. Private Mahaffey did more than his duty under violent fire in the open to relieve sufferings of the wounded. On his way to a machine-gun emplacement to succor men who had been injured there, he stopped to give first aid to Private Jay Le. R. Antes, who lay mortally wounded and exposed to machine-gun fire, and while performing this heroic act was killed.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Private First Class

    Regiment:

    28th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    1st Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    May 27 – 31, 1918
    Headquarters, 1st Division, A.E.F., General Orders No. 26 (June 15, 1918)

    By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Private First Class Emory Mahafey, United States Army, is cited (Posthumously) by the Commanding General, 1st Division, American Expeditionary Forces, for gallantry in action and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the Victory Medals awarded him. Private First Class Mahafey distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving with the 28th Infantry, 1st Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in action during the operations connected with the capture and defense of Cantigny, France, 27 to 31 May 1918. Private First Class Mahafey repeatedly passed up and down the front line trenches rendering first aid under heavy machine gun fire; later he left the security of the trenches in order to render first aid to a wounded man in a gun emplacement and while thus engaged was killed by shell fire.