Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Infantry)

    Regiment:

    355th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    89th Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    November 9, 1918

    War Department, General Orders No. 22 (1929)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Walter Spain Yarbrough, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company F, 355th Infantry Regiment, 89th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in crossing the Meuse River, France, 9 November 1918. Because of his known courage and leadership Lieutenant Yarbrough was selected to lead a patrol of 15 men which was to cross the Meuse River by swimming in order to gain information and capture prisoners. When the men were in the middle of the river they were fired upon by the enemy and all except six men were compelled to return. Lieutenant Yarbrough with the five remaining men continued the advance. Lieutenant Yarbrough himself succeeded in reaching the enemy side of the river, where a few moments later he made the supreme sacrifice while endeavoring to carry out his mission.