Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union

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 Pharmacist’s Mate Third Class George Douglas Witt, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving as a Corpsman attached to the Sixth Machine-Gun Battalion, Sixth Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near St. Etienne-a-Arnes, France, 6 October 1918. Pharmacist’s Mate Witt displayed remarkable bravery and coolness in giving medical aid to wounded marines while going forward with the assault waves during the attack north of Blanc Mont Ridge and near St. Etienne-Arnes, France, on 6 October 1918. Late in the afternoon on the same date, while giving first aid to a wounded marine in an advance machine-gun post, he was shot and seriously wounded by an enemy sniper.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Pharmacist’s Mate Third Class

    Batallion:

    6th Machine-Gun Battalion

    Regiment:

    6th Regiment (Marines)

    Division:

    2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    October 6, 1918
    2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, Citation Order No. 88 (1918)

    By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Pharmacist’s Mate Third Class George Douglas Witt, United States Navy, is cited (Posthumously) by the Commanding General, SECOND DIVISION A.E.F., for gallantry in action and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the Victory Medals awarded him. Pharmacist’s Mate Third Class Witt distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving as a Corpsman attached to the Sixth Machine-Gun Battalion, Sixth Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in action near Blanc Mont, France, 6 October 1918. Pharmacist’s Mate Third Class Witt displayed remarkable bravery and coolness in giving medical aid to the wounded while going forward with the assault waves, during the attack north of Blanc Mont Ridge, and near St. Etienne-a-Arnes, France. Later in the afternoon of the same date, while giving first aid to a wounded Marine, in an advanced machine-gun post, he was seriously wounded by an enemy sniper.