The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Service Cross to Lieutenant Leon Marchand, Army of France, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 202d Regiment of Infantry, 30th U.S. Infantry (Attached), 3d Division, A.E.F., near the Ferme de Madeleine du Cunel, France, 14 October 1918. Lieutenant Marchand twice voluntarily accompanied attacking troops through heavy enemy barrages, and on one of these occasions was caught between friendly and hostile machine-gun fire, displaying notable coolness and gallantry. Later, in the same night, he volunteered and led a patrol into the Bois-de-Pultiere to locate a dugout for the advance regimental post of command, although he knew the woods were saturated with gas, by which he was overcome.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Distinguished Service Cross
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Distinguished Service Cross
Service:
ForeignRank:
LieutenantRegiment:
202d Regiment of Infantry, 30th U.S. Infantry (Attached)Division:
3d Division, American Expeditionary ForcesAction Date:
July 15, 1918
War Department, General Orders No. 44 (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 Lieutenant Leon Marchand, Army of France, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 202d Regiment of Infantry, 30th U.S. Infantry (Attached), 3d Division, A.E.F., during the Battle of the Marne, 15 July 1918. Lieutenant Marchand repeatedly displayed superb courage by voluntarily proceeding from the regimental command post dugout to an observation post on the edge of the woods, through intense shell fire, in order to observe the progress of the action and obtain information necessary for the commanding officer. The superb courage of Lieutenant Marchand was an inspiration to the men of the regiment to which he was attached.