Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Captain (Infantry)

    Regiment:

    325th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    82d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    October 12 & 16, 1918

    War Department, General Orders No. 139 (1918)

    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) Frank M. Williams, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 325th Infantry Regiment, 82d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near St. Juvin. France, 12 and 16 October 1918. During the operations in the vicinity of St. Juvin this officer demonstrated the highest personal bravery and leadership. On 12 October although he was wounded, he organized a provisional combat group and led it to a ridge, repulsing an enemy counterattack which threatened our left flank. On 16 October while he was reconnoitering a position for machine-guns he rescued an American soldier from five armed Germans four of whom he killed with his pistol. Later on the same day he saw a hostile skirmish line advancing toward hill 182, He rushed a machine-gun forward with which the attack was broken.