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), Pharmacist’s Mate Second Class William J. Bracken (NSN: 303690), United States Navy, is cited by the Commanding General, SECOND DIVISION A.E.F., for gallantry in action and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the Victory Medals awarded him. Pharmacist’s Mate Second Class Bracken distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving as a Corpsman attached to the Sixth Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, during the heavy gas-shell bombardment on 4 October 1918, near Somme-Py, France. Pharmacist’s Mate Second Class Bracken bravely continued dressing all wounded brought to the battalion aid station. On the evening of the same day during heavy bombardment, several members of a support battalion were severely wounded. Again unmindful of personal danger he unhesitatingly went to the scene, administered first aid and carried wounded back on stretchers. His actions were highly commended by several officers who witnessed his deeds.

Awards Received

  • Navy Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Pharmacist’s Mate Second Class

    Regiment:

    6th Regiment (Marines)

    Division:

    2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    October 3 – 10, 1918

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Pharmacist’s Mate Second Class William J. Bracken, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and heroic conduct while serving as a Corpsman attached to the Sixth Marines, 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces Pharmacist’s Mate Second Class Bracken showed great devotion to duty at Blanc Mont, Champagne region, France, 3 to 10 October 1918, in giving first aid and evacuating the wounded under very trying conditions. On 4 October, during a heavy gas-shell bombardment near Somme-Py, Pharmacist’s Mate Second Class Bracken bravely continued dressing all wounded brought to the battalion aid station. On the evening of the same day he unhesitatingly went to the scene of severely wounded, carrying them back on stretchers.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Pharmacist’s Mate Second Class

    Regiment:

    6th Regiment (Marines)

    Division:

    2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    October 5, 1918
    GHQ, American Expeditionary Forces, Citation Order 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), Pharmacist’s Mate Second Class William J. Bracken (NSN: 303690), United States Navy, 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. Pharmacist’s Mate Second Class Bracken distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving as a Corpsman attached to the Sixth Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in action near Somme-Py, France, 5 October 1918, in dressing the wounded under heavy shell fire.