Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union

By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Sergeant First Class William Helgers, Jr. (ASN: 967), United States Army, is cited for gallantry in action and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the Victory Medals awarded him. Sergeant First Class Helgers distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving with Sanitary Detachment, 165th Infantry Regiment, 42d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in action at Viller-sur-Fere, France, 28 July 1918. When the school building used as a dressing station by the 3d Battalion, 165th Infantry Regiment, was under heavy shell fire, Sergeant Helgers voluntarily rushed out in front of the building and although injured by the falling debris, succeeded in carrying two officers through the terrific shell fire to a place of safety.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Sergeant First Class

    Regiment:

    165th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    42d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    September 12, 1918
    GHQ, American Expeditionary Forces, Citation Orders No. 2 (June 3, 1919)

    By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Sergeant First Class William Helgers, Jr. (ASN: 967), United States Army, is cited by the Commanding General, American Expeditionary Forces, for gallantry in action and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the Victory Medals awarded him. Sergeant First Class Helgers distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving with Sanitary Detachment, 165th Infantry Regiment, 42d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in action on 12 September 1918, in the St. Mihiel salient, France, in going to the aid of a wounded comrade and bringing him to a place of safety, this under terrific enemy fire.