Navy Federal Credit Union

By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), First Sergeant [then Corporal] George H. Spencley (ASN: 553657), United States Army, is cited by the Commanding General, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the World War I Victory Medals awarded him. While serving with Company A, 8th Machine Gun Battalion, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, Corporal Spencley gave a fine example of courage and devotion to duty. On 15 October 1918, in the Bois de Foret, Corporal Spencley was twice wounded. On the first occasion he did not go to the first aid station. On the second occasion he was struck in the back with a shell fragment. Upon arrival at the first aid statin he was advised to go back but insisted upon returning to take command of his squad. He remained at his post until his company was relieved on 26 October 1918. [A Distinguished Service Cross was awarded for this action.]

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Corporal

    Batallion:

    8th Machine-Gun Battalion

    Division:

    3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    October 15, 1918

    War Department, General Orders No. 27 (1920)

    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 Corporal George Henry Spencley (ASN: 553657), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company A, 8th Machine-Gun Battalion, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Cunel, France, 15 October 1918. Although painfully wounded in the back by a piece of enemy shell and tagged for evacuation to the hospital, Corporal Spencley refused to be evacuated, but returned to his gun during two enemy counterattacks, during which he stopped by his fire an enemy attack which had reached within 40 yards of his position.