Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Private

    Regiment:

    307th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    77th Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    September 29 – 30, 1918

    War Department, General Orders No. 46 (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 Private Joseph Passafiume (ASN: 1706135), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company G, 307th Infantry Regiment, 77th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in the Argonne Forest, France, September 29 – 30, 1918. Private Passafiume was detailed as a member of a team of runners, four teams having been sent to the battalion companies with a message regarding the attack of September 30. On account of the extreme darkness, and the fact that the companies had changed positions, all the runners except Private Passafiume reported back, being unsuccessful in the mission. Private Passafiume continued on, however, reaching the company to which he had been sent, and thinking that the others may have been unsuccessful found all the other companies, obtaining a signed receipt of the message. He then found his way back and reported to his battalion commander.