Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Second Lieutenant (Infantry)

    Regiment:

    47th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    4th Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    August 7 & 9, 1918

    War Department, General Orders No. 14 (1928)

    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 Second Lieutenant (Infantry) Henry F. Martin, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company G, 47th Infantry Regiment, 4th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Bazoches, France, 7 and 9 August 1918. Early on the morning of 7 August 1918, being ordered to cross the Vesle River, Lieutenant Martin led his platoon under heavy artillery and machine-gun fire. Upon reaching the bank of the river he found no footbridge across the river. He leaped into the river, swam across it, stretched ropes, and improvised a pontoon structure. After reaching the north bank of the river he observed two men in danger of being carried away by the current, going to their aid and rescuing them while under heavy fire from the enemy. On 9 August 1918, when his company commander was wounded, he fearlessly placed himself at the head of the most exposed unit and led it forward in a determined attack on Bazoches.