Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Cook

    Regiment:

    114th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    29th Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    October 27, 1918

    War Department, General Orders No. 1 (1926)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Cook Frederick William Schmelz (ASN: 1281962), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company K, 114th Infantry Regiment, 29th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, north of Verdun, France, 27 October 1918. Cook Schmelz volunteered to take hot food to the front line troops who had not received hot food for three days. After traveling four kilometers he was fatally wounded by a bursting shell.