By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Captain Percy Duryea Cornell (MCSN: 0-187), United States Marine Corps, is cited by the Commanding General, Second Division, American Expeditionary Forces, for extraordinary heroism on 18 July 1918, in the Bois de Ritz, southwest of Soissons, France. Captain Cornell, with extraordinary heroism, dashed forward with several men and silenced a machine gun which had annihilated the advance wave of the adjoining company and was causing heavy casualties in his own company. By this heroic act and rare presence of mind he saved the lives of many that would have otherwise been cut down.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Navy Cross
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Navy Cross
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
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Distinguished Service Cross
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Navy Cross
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
CaptainRegiment:
Fifth Regiment (Marines)Division:
2d Division, American Expeditionary ForcesAction Date:
July 18, 1918
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Cross to Captain Percy Duryea Cornell (MCSN: 0-187), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession while serving with the 55th Company, 5th Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, A.E.F. in action on 18 July 1918, shortly after his company had jumped off in an attack against the enemy’s strongly organized position in the Bois de Ritz, southwest of Soissons. Seeing the advanced wave of the adjoining company being annihilated, and hearing the sudden outburst of machine gun fire coming directly from his front, Major Cornell, without thought of self, or the consequences, shouted to the men of his platoon to follow, and dashed toward the sound of the deadly fire followed by those few of his men who heard him, and, with their assistance silenced the machine gun. By this heroic act and rare presence of mind he saved the lives of many who would otherwise have been cut down.
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Navy Cross
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
CaptainRegiment:
Fifth Regiment (Marines)Division:
2d Division, American Expeditionary ForcesAction Date:
October 4, 1918
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Captain Percy Duryea Cornell (MCSN: 0-187), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving with the 55th Company, 5th Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, A.E.F. in action near St. Etienne, France, 4 October 1918. Captain Cornell courageously led his company through heavy artillery and machine-gun fire in the attack on a strongly defended enemy position. His company held the exposed flank and later, when the battalion withdrew, he skillfully covered the other shifting units while exposed to heavy enemy fire.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
CaptainRegiment:
Fifth Regiment (Marines)Division:
2d Division, American Expeditionary ForcesAction Date:
July 18, 1918
GHQ, American Expeditionary Forces, Citation Orders No. 1 (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), Captain Percy Duryea Cornell (MCSN: 0-187), United States Marine Corps, 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. Captain Cornell distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving with the 55th Company, 5th Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in action near Soissons, France, 18 July 1918, and by his brilliant leadership.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
CaptainRegiment:
Fifth Regiment (Marines)Division:
2d Division, American Expeditionary ForcesAction Date:
November 11, 1918
War Department, General Orders No. 15 (1921)By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Captain Percy Duryea Cornell (MCSN: 0-187), United States Marine Corps, is cited for gallantry in action near Pouilly, France, 11 November 1918, and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the Victory Medals awarded him. Captain Cornell voluntarily led a small detachment of men through the enemy’s lines and captured an enemy field piece which was holding up the advance of his battalion.
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Distinguished Service Cross
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
CaptainRegiment:
Fifth Regiment (Marines)Division:
2d Division, American Expeditionary ForcesAction Date:
October 4, 1918
War Department, General Orders No. 60 (1920)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 Captain Percy Duryea Cornell (MCSN: 0-187), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving with the 55th Company, Fifth Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, A.E.F., in action near St. Etienne, France, 4 October 1918. Captain Cornell courageously led his company through heavy artillery and machine-gun fire in the attack on a strongly defended enemy position. His company held the exposed flank and later, when the battalion withdrew, he skillfully covered the other shifting units while exposed to heavy enemy fire.