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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 Captain John Andrew Minnis (MCSN: 0-671), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while attached as an observer to the 38th Infantry Regiment (Army), 3d Division, A.E.F., in action near Mezy, France, 15 July 1918. During the enemy drive Captain Minnis fearlessly reorganized a unit that had lost its officers and held his position against the enemy assault. A short time later he gallantly led fifteen men in a counterattack under heavy enemy machine-gun fire. He repulsed the enemy and captured twenty-four prisoners.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Captain

    Regiment:

    38th Infantry Regiment (USA) (Attached)

    Division:

    2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    July 15, 1918
    Headquarters, 3d Division, A.E.F., Citation Orders No. 22 (July 8, 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 John Andrew Minnis (MCSN: 0-671), United States Marine Corps, is cited by the Commanding General, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the World War I Victory Medals awarded him. While attached for observation with the 38th Infantry Regiment, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, Captain Minnis carried a wounded runner two hundred yards under heavy shell fire to get him medical teratment. He reorganized a Platoon which had lost all of its Officers and Non-Commissioned Officers and directed an effective fire against the assaulting enemy. With fifteen men he made a counter attack against a sztrong group of the enemy and captured twenty-four prisoners. [A Distinguished Service Cross and Navy Cross was awarded for this action.]

  • Navy Cross

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Captain

    Regiment:

    38th Infantry Regiment (USA) (Attached)

    Division:

    3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    July 15, 1918

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Captain John Andrew Minnis (MCSN: 0-671), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while attached as an observer to the 38th Infantry Regiment (Army), 3d Division, A.E.F., in action near Mezy, France, 15 July 1918. During the enemy drive Captain Minnis fearlessly reorganized a unit that had lost its officers and held his position against the enemy assault. A short time later he gallantly led fifteen men in a counterattack under heavy enemy machine-gun fire. He repulsed the enemy and captured twenty-four prisoners.