Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Sergeant

    Regiment:

    146th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    37th Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    September 27, 1918

    War Department, General Orders No. 59 (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 Sergeant Charles M. Smith (ASN: 1521380), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company F, 146th Infantry Regiment, 37th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Montfaucon, France, 27 September 1918. While leading a reconnaissance patrol, sent out to locate enemy machine-gun nests. Sergeant Smith was severely wounded. Lying helpless where he fell, he disregarded his own wounds and continued to direct his men. Through his courage and fortitude, many enemy machine-guns were located and subsequently destroyed.