Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    Foreign

    Rank:

    Corporal

    Division:

    British Army

    Action Date:

    September 1944

    Headquarters, European Theater of Operations, U.S. Army, General Orders No. 18 (February 20, 1945)

    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 Corporal Douglas McGrath, British Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy, during the battle of Arnhem, Belgium in September 1944. Corporal McGrath succeeded in killing a sniper who was harassing the safety of the men in his platoon area. Later, in spite of a painful wound in the back, he would not go to the regimental aid post until ordered so to do. He returned to duty when the enemy had attacked and had taken a position between the regimental aid post and Corporal McGrath’s original position. Due to casualties in reforming his own unit, he was left alone with his Bren Gun, which he continued to fire against increasing opposition as he successfully held off the enemy attack.