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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 (Infantry) Frederick Winant, Jr., 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 Commanding Headquarters Company, 30th Infantry Regiment, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, during the attack on trenches north of Bois de Cunel on the night of 10 – 11 October 1918, Lieutenant Winant’s Stokes Mortar Detachment and Pioneer Platoon were ordered to the support of troops on the front line position, under command of Captain Edmund C. Glenn, 30th Infantry. Lieutenant Winant requested that he be permitted to accompany his men. Regardless of all personal danger and by his example of bravery, he materially assisted, under heavy machine gun and shell fire, to assemble his detachment, proceeded to the trench line, assisted in the relief of troops then occupying the position and remained there with his detachment until he was evacuated on account of wounds.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Infantry)

    Regiment:

    30th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    July 15, 1918
    Headquarters, 3d Division, A.E.F., Citation Orders No. 22 (July 8, 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 (Infantry) Frederick Winant, Jr., 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 as Commanding Officer of the Stokes Mortars, 30th Infantry Regiment, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, during the battle of 15 July 1918, at Mezy France, when most of his guns were put out of action by heavy enemy fire, Lieutenant Winant changed the location of his remaining two guns and continued his fire on the enemy crossing the Marne. When firing with Stokes Mortars was no longer possible, he withdrew his men, about 20 in number, and assisted in holding back the enemy until he was surrounded on three sides, about 4 P.M. 15 July, at which time he planned a withdrawal which was successfully carried out. Regardless of all personal danger, he remained through the entire bombardment and fight, though he was twice wounded. [A Distinguished Service Cross was awarded for this action.]

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Infantry)

    Regiment:

    30th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    July 15, 1918
    War Department, General Orders No. 46 (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 First Lieutenant (Infantry) Frederick Winant, Jr., United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 30th Infantry Regiment, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, at Mezy, France, 15 July 1918. Lieutenant Winant was in command of the Stokes’ mortar platoon of his regiment at the beginning of the German attack of 15 July when all but two of his guns were blown out of their pits by enemy fire. Changing the location of his two remaining guns, he continued to fire on the Germans as they crossed the Marne, and when he was no longer able to do so he withdrew his men, numbering about 20, and assisted in holding back the enemy, approaching from three sides. Regardless of personal danger, he remained on duty throughout the action, refusing to accept first aid, though he had been twice wounded.