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 Private Daniel Richmond Edwards (ASN: 106546), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company C, 3d Machine-Gun Battalion, 1st Division, American Expeditionary Forces, at Cantigny, France, May 28 – 30, 1918. Serving as gunner of his machine-gun squad Private Edwards advanced with the first assault line of the Infantry and while passing through the village of Cantigny at 5:30 a.m., May 28 carrying his machine gun upon his shoulder, he was attacked by an enemy soldier and bayoneted, receiving a severe wrist wound; the enemy soldier was killed by an infantryman. Continuing in the advance beyond Cantigny and meeting intense enemy fire, the attacking wave was halted. Private Edwards with his squad remained in an advanced position, protecting with his fire the Infantry which had fallen back to a more advantageous position and were entrenching. While thus engaged the machine gunners repulsed two determined enemy counterattacks, during which the three members of the squad accompanying Private Edwards were killed and he himself severely wounded. Despite these wounds, which he himself dressed, he remained alone in his position throughout the day, firing whenever a target offered, withstanding attacks by liquid fire and machine-gun fire, he refused to be evacuated and continued to operate his gun until nightfall, when his company was relieved. His extraordinary bravery and devotion to duty, his fortitude and undaunted determination despite his numerous and painful wounds, incited the men of his battalion to splendid endeavors and raised their morale to an extremely high pitch.

Awards Received

  • Medal of Honor

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Private First Class

    Batallion:

    3d Machine-Gun Battalion

    Division:

    1st Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    July 18, 1918

    War Department, General Orders No. 14 (April 04, 1923)

    The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Private First Class Daniel Richmond Edwards (ASN: 106546), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on 18 July 1918, while serving with Company C, 3d Machine-Gun Battalion, 1st Division, in action at Soissons, France. Reporting for duty from the hospital where he had been for several weeks under treatment for numerous and serious wounds and although suffering intense pain from a shattered arm, Private First Class Edwards crawled alone into an enemy trench for the purpose of capturing or killing enemy soldiers known to be concealed therein. He killed four of the men and took the remaining four men prisoners; while conducting them to the rear one of the enemy was killed by a high explosive enemy shell which also completely shattered one of Private First Class Edwards’ legs, causing him to be immediately evacuated to the hospital. The bravery of Private First Class Edwards, now a tradition in his battalion because of his previous gallant acts, again caused the morale of his comrades to be raised to high pitch.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Private

    Batallion:

    3rd Machine-Gun Battalion

    Division:

    1st Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    May 27 – 31, 1918

    Headquarters, 1st Division, A.E.F., General Orders No. 29 (June 22, 1918)

    By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Private Daniel R. Edwards, United States Army, is cited by the Commanding General, 1st Division, American Expeditionary Forces, for gallantry in action and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the Victory Medals awarded him. Private Edwards distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving with Company C, 3d Machine-Gun Battalion, 1st Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in action during the operations connected with the capture and defense of Cantigny, France, 27 to 31 May 1918. Private Edwards refused to leave his gun and continued its operation after the other men of his crew had been killed and he, himself, had been wounded.