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By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), First Lieutenant (Infantry) Henry C. Merritt, United States Army, is cited by the Commanding General, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the World War I Victory Medals awarded him. While serving with the 38th Infantry Regiment, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, Lieutenants Guy Winstread and Henry Merritt conducted a patrol across the Marne by boat, the boat sank, and these two officers swam across the river under hazardous circumstances and accomplished their mission. A few days later they conducted a raiding party across the Marne and captured an enemy outpost, killing or capturing all of the enemy. This was accomplished under fire and in the enemy’s territory. [A Distinguished Service Cross was awarded for this action.]

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Second Lieutenant (Infantry)

    Regiment:

    38th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    June 18 – 19, 1918
    Headquarters, 3d Division, A.E.F., Citation Orders No. 22 (July 8, 1919)

    By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Second Lieutenant (Infantry) Henry C. Merritt, United States Army, is cited by the Commanding General, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the World War I Victory Medals awarded him. While serving with Company C, 38th Infantry Regiment, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, Lieutenant Merritt showed great bravery in volunteering to give his assistance with a raiding party in crossing the Marne River near Fossoy on the nights of 18 – 19 June 1918. The patrol accomplished its mission by bringing back one prisoner and killing 12 Germans. On 22 July 1918, Lieutenant Merritt showed remarkable leadership in carrying his platoon across the Marne River near Jaulgonne in a counterattack pushing back the Germans on his sector and capturing 7 machine guns. [A Distinguished Service Cross was awarded for this action.]

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Second Lieutenant (Infantry)

    Regiment:

    38th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    June 18 – 19, 1918
    War Department, General Orders 81 (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 Second Lieutenant (Infantry) Henry C. Merritt, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company C, 38th Infantry Regiment, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Gland, France, June 18 – 19, 1918. After successfully crossing the Marne with a night patrol, Lieutenant Merritt captured three prisoners. The patrol was then fired on by a detachment of the enemy, and, in the hand-to-hand conflict which followed, all of the enemy were killed. The patrol returned to our lines with one prisoner, and only two of the members wounded.