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Navy Federal Credit Union
Russell
A.
Schmidt

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Captain (Signal Corps)

    Batallion:

    108th Field Signal Battalion

    Division:

    33d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    October 8, 1918
    War Department, General Orders 66 (May 21, 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 (Signal Corps) Russell A. Schmidt, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 108th Field Signal Battalion, 33d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Cumieres, France, 8 October 1918. With a detail of five men, Captain Schmidt was engaged in attempting to lay a telephone line across the Meuse River, when they were discovered and attacked by a superior force of the enemy. Even after being wounded three times, Captain Schmidt continued the unequal struggle, killing one and wounding three of the enemy, until all his ammunition was exhausted and all of his men severely wounded. Believing himself to be mortally wounded, he advanced into the enemy’s lines and gave himself up, in order to save the lives of his men. He was recaptured by our forces later in the day.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Signal Corps)

    Batallion:

    108th Field Signal Battalion

    Division:

    33d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    October 8, 1918
    GHQ, American Expeditionary Forces, Citation Orders No. 7 (June 3, 1919)

    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 (Signal Corps) Russell A. Schmidt, United States Army, is cited by the Commanding General, American Expeditionary Forces, for gallantry in action and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the Victory Medals awarded him. First Lieutenant Schmidt distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving with the 108th Field Signal Battalion, 33d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in action on 8 October 1918, in attempting to lay a telephone line across the Meuse River opposite Cumieres, under heavy enemy fire. [This award was rescinded under GHQ, American Expeditionary Forces, Citation Orders No. 8 (March 1, 1920) as the recipient has been awarded a Distinguished Service Cross for deed including this act.]