By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Private Fred Haefliger (MCSN: 92778), United States Marine Corps, is cited by the Commanding General, SECOND 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 Haefliger distinguished himself while serving with the 77th Company, 6th Machine-Gun Battalion, 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces in France during World War I.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Navy Cross
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Distinguished Service Cross
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Navy Cross
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
PrivateBatallion:
6th Machine-Gun BattalionRegiment:
Sixth Regiment (Marines)Division:
2d Division, American Expeditionary ForcesAction Date:
October 3, 1918
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Private Fred Haefliger (MCSN: 92778), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving with the 77th Company, 6th Machine-Gun Battalion, 6th Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, A.E.F. in action near St. Etienne, France, 3 October 1918. When our advanced infantry was forced to withdraw, Private Haefliger’s machine-gun crew refused to withdraw, but calmly set up their machine-gun. The gun was upset by a bursting hand grenade, which also injured Private Haefliger and another member of the squad. Despite their injuries, they immediately reset the gun and opened fire on the advancing Germans when twenty feet distant, causing the Germans to break and retreat in disorder.
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Distinguished Service Cross
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
PrivateBatallion:
6th Machine-Gun BattalionRegiment:
Sixth Regiment (Marines)Division:
2d Division, American Expeditionary ForcesAction Date:
October 3, 1918
War Department, General Orders No. 23 (1919)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 Fred Haefliger (MCSN: 92778), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving with the Seventy-Seventh Company, Sixth Machine-Gun Battalion, Sixth Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, A.E.F., in action near St. Etienne, France, 3 October 1918. When our advanced infantry was forced to withdraw, Private Haefliger’s machine-gun crew refused to withdraw, but calmly set up their machine-gun. The gun was upset by a bursting hand grenade, which also injured Private Haefliger and another member of the squad. Despite their injuries, they immediately reset the gun and opened fire on the advancing Germans when twenty feet distant, causing the Germans to break and retreat in disorder.