Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Captain (Infantry)

    Regiment:

    11th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    5th Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    September 12 & October 21, 1918

    War Department, General Orders 95 (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 Captain (Infantry) Martin Charles Rudolph, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 11th Infantry Regiment, 5th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, at Vieville-en-Haye, France, 12 September 1918, and near Cunel, France, 21 October 1918. When an enemy machine gun suddenly opened fire on his company Captain Rudolph signaled the platoon on his right to execute a flanking movement, while he advanced alone toward the gun. He killed the enemy gunner with his pistol and captured the remainder of the crew. He then ordered the captured gun carried along in the advance, and 200 yards farther used it successfully in silencing another enemy machine gun which was holding up his company. Captain Rudolph was severely wounded by a hand grenade on 21 October but refused to go to the rear, and remained with his company for 12 hours, inspiring his men to hold an important position against a superior force of the enemy.