Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union

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 Colonel (Infantry) Russell Creamer Langdon, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving as Commanding Officer, 127th Infantry Regiment, 32d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Fismes, France, 5 August 1918. After a patrol had reported to him that a bridge crossing of the Vesle could not be located due to heavy enemy machine-gun and rifle fire, Colonel Langdon personally led a patrol through an area covered by enemy shall and machine-gun fire, to the Vesle River and selected a suitable spot for the building of a bridge and gave instructions for the selection of material for construction.

Awards Received

  • Army Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Colonel (Infantry)

    Regiment:

    127th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    32d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    World War I
    War Department, General Orders No. 69 (1919)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Colonel (Infantry) Russell Creamer Langdon, United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility during World War I. As Commanding Officer of the 127th Infantry Regiment, 32d Division, Colonel Langdon demonstrated personal courage, marked tactical ability, and military leadership of a high order. The brilliant success he achieved in the capture of Fismes during the Aisne-Marne offensive, and in the taking of Juvigny and the subsequent advance to Terny-Sorny during the Oise-Aisne offensive, was repeated later during the operations of the Meuse-Argonne, when he was given the important task of conducting the attack on La Cote Dame Marie.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Infantry)

    Action Date:

    June 22 – July 17, 1898
    U.S. Military Academy Register of Graduates

    First Lieutenant (Infantry) Russell Creamer Langdon, United States Army, was cited for gallantry in action in the Santiago de Cuba Campaign, 22 June to 17 July 1898.