Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Second Lieutenant (Infantry)

    Regiment:

    23d Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    July 18, 1918

    War Department, General Orders No. 24 (1920)

    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) Andrew Charles Otto, Jr., United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 23d Infantry Regiment, 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, south of Soissons, France, 18 July 1918. Lieutenant Otto led a force of 30 men, stormed the strong enemy position in the town of Vauxcastille, capturing 230 prisoners and 15 machine guns. He personally attacked and killed two of the enemy machine gunners. Upon two different occasions he attacked machine-gun nests single-handed, killing or capturing the crew. His wonderful courage inspired his men to this remarkable victory against overwhelming odds.