Center House Association
Marine Barracks — Washington, D.C.



    

The Navy Cross
and the Army Distinguished Service Cross

- World War I -

__________________________


Barracks officers who were awarded these medals for actions during World War One are:

1st Lieutenant James P. Adams, USMC who served at the Barracks in 1932 as a Captain.
Major Frederick A. Barker, USMC who served at the Barracks in 1937 as a Colonel.
2nd Lieutenant George Bower,USMC who served at the Barracks in 1926 as a Captain.
Former Commandant General Clifton B. Cates, USMC who served at the Barracks in 1920 as a 1st Lieutenant.
1st Lieutenant William H. Faga, USMC who served at the Barracks as a 1st Lieutenant in 1926.
Colonel Logan Feland, USMC who served at the Barracks in 1899 as a 1st Lieutenant.
Former Commandant General Thomas Holcomb, USMC who served four tours at the Barracks, the first as a 1st Lieutenant in 1903.
Colonel Leroy P. Hunt, USMC who served at the Barracks in 1937 as a Lt. Colonel.
Major Ralph S. Keyser, USMC who served at the Barracks in 1936 as a Colonel.
Lieutenant Colonel Harry R. Lay, USMC who served at the Barracks in 1911 as a Captain.
1st Lieutenant Robert L. Montague, USMC who served at the Barracks in 1921 as a Captain.
Major Maurice E. Shearer, USMC who served at the Barracks in 1916 as a 1st Lieutenant.
Former Commandant General Lemuel C. Shepherd, USMC who served at the Barracks in 1936 as a Lieutenant Colonel.
Major Berton W. Sibley, USMC who served at the Barracks in 1901 as a 2nd Lieutenant.
1st Lieutenant Merwin H. Silverthorn, USMC who served at the Barracks in 1919 as a 1st Lieutenant.
Lieutenant Colonel Julius Spear Turrill, USMC who served at the Barracks in 1899 as a 2nd Lieutenant.



The Citations






            

1st Lieutenant James P. Adams, USMC

Navy Cross Citation:

The Navy Cross is awarded to First Lieutenant James P. Adams, United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism in action near Blanc Mont, France, October 3, 1918. Voluntarily lead four soldiers through a heavy barrage, Lieutenant Adams attacked and killed a machine-gun crew which was enfilading his company's first line. His willingness, fearlessness, and great courage made possible the cleaning out of many more machine guns which were holding up the advance of his company.


Distinguished Service Cross Citation:

(the Distinguished Service Cross was presented for the same action as the Navy Cross, and the citation is substantially verbatim.)




Major Frederick A. Barker, USMC

Citation:

The Navy Cross is awarded to Major Frederick A. Barker, United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious and conspicuous service as battalion commander, 1st Battalion, 6th Regiment Marines, and for distinguished and exceptional gallantry at Sommerance on November 1, 1918. Major Barker skillfully led his battalion, which was in a front line position, from the "jumping off" place near Sommerance, to the first objective. He kept his men close to the barrage, all the way subjected to a heavy fire of high explosives and a machine-gun barrage. He reached his objective on time and secured a number of prisoners and considerable material.






Captain George Bower, USMC

Citation:

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Second Lieutenant George Bower, U.S. Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism in action near Thiaucourt, France, September 15, 1918. Aiding an infantry platoon, which had been forced to withdraw because of heavy machine-gun and artillery fire, Lieutenant Bower, while suffering from severe wounds, kept his guns in position, consolidating his location, and preventing the danger of an enemy counterattack.




             

General Clifton B. Cates, USMC

Navy Cross Citation:

The Navy Cross is awarded to First Lieutenant Clifton B. Cates, United States Marine Corps. While advancing with his company on the town of Bouresche, their progress was greatly hindered by withering machine-gun and artillery fire of the enemy, which caused many casualties, one of whom was his commanding officer.  Taking command, Lieutenant Cates led them on to the objective, despite the fact that he was rendered temporarily unconscious by a bullet striking his helmet and that this was his first engagement. Exposing himself to extreme hazard, he reorganized his position with but a handful of men.


First Distinguished Service Cross Citation:

(the Distinguished Service Cross was presented for the same action as the Navy Cross, and the citation is substantially verbatim.)


Second Distinguished Service Cross Citation:

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Captain Clifton B. Cates, U.S. Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism in action near Bois de Belleau, France, June 13 - 14, 1918. During the night, a severe gas attack made it necessary to evacuate practically the entire personnel of two companies, including officers. Captain Gates, suffering painfully from wounds, refused evacuation remaining and rendering valuable assistance to another company.





             

1st Lieutenant William H. Faga, USMC

Navy Cross Citation:

The Navy Cross is awarded to Corporal William H. Faga, United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism in action near Ardennes, France, November 1, 1918. Just as he was to be evacuated to the rear because of severe wounds, Corporal Faga saw that his platoon was without a commander, both leaders having become casualties. Returning to the lines, he assumed command for the remainder of the attack, successfully accomplishing his mission.


First Distinguished Service Cross Citation:

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Sergeant William H. Faga, U.S. Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism in action near Vierzy, France, July 19, 1918. Sergeant Faga attacked and captured a machine gun that was inflicting losses on the American lines. In addition, he volunteered and successfully delivered messages of great importance to his battalion commander through a machine-gun and artillery barrage.

Second Distinguished Service Cross Citation:

(the Distinguished Service Cross was presented for the same action as the Navy Cross, and the citation is substantially verbatim.)




Colonel Logan Feland, USMC

Citation:

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Colonel Logan Feland, U.S. Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism in action during the operations at Bois de Belleau, June 6 - 14, 1918. Colonel Feland distinguished himself by his energy, courage, and disregard for personal safety in voluntarily leading troops into action through heavy artillery and machine-gun fire. His efforts contributed largely to our successes at this point.






General Thomas Holcomb, USMC

Citation:

The Navy Cross is awarded to Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Holcomb, United States Marine Corps. During all the above services Lieutenant Colonel Holcomb performed all of his duty in a most commendable manner, proved himself a brave, active, resourceful officer by his zealous and intelligent attention to duty as well as personal courage and fearlessness in the face of the enemy. He was awarded by the French Government a Croix de Guerre with palms and the Cross of Chevalier of the Legion of Honor.




      

Lt. Colonel Leroy P. Hunt, USMC

Navy Cross Citation:

The Navy Cross is presented to Captain Leroy P. Hunt, U.S. Marine Corps, for repeated acts of extraordinary heroism in action near St. Etienne, France, October 3 - 4, 1918. After six hours of severe fighting, Captain Hunt and his men succeeded in reducing a large sector of trenches and machine- gun nests, and captured 300 prisoners. On October 4, near St. Etienne, Captain Hunt constantly exposed himself to enemy fire while leading his men toward their objective. His gallant conduct gave his men confidence to completely rout superior enemy forces, concentrating for a counter attack.

Distinguished Service Cross Citation:

(the Distinguished Service Cross was presented for the same action as the Navy Cross, and the citation is substantially verbatim.)




Major Ralph S. Keyser, USMC

Citation:

The Navy Cross is awarded to Major Ralph S. Keyser, United States Marine Corps. While attached to the Fifth Marines, Major Keyser participated in the battles of the Chateau-Thierry Sector, June 10th to July 10th; in the counter-thrust southwest of Soissons, July 18th to 19th; and as member of the General Staff of the Second Division. He participated in the occupation of the Marbache Sector (just north of Nancy) August 12th to 16th; the St. Mihiel salient September 2 to 16; the battle of Blanc Mont Ridge, October 1st to 10th, and the battle of the Meuse-Argonne, November 1 to 11th; the march to the Rhine; the occupation of the Coblens Bridge Head, and return of the Second Division to the United States and in the workings of his important department very efficiently, and with marked success. The services rendered by this officer were conspicuous; highly meritorious, and in duty of great responsibility.




Lieutenant Colonel Harry R. Lay, USMC

Citation:

The Navy Cross is awarded to Lieutenant Colonel Harry R. Lay, United States Marine Corps. At Vierzy, France, July 18, 1918, Lieutenant Colonel Lay, attached to the staff of the 4th Brigade, pressed forward and was with the foremost waves in the capture of the town. He was zealous, cool and courageous, and was an inspiration to the men. Colonel Lay with six men detached from their companies, rounded up and took to the rear eight hundred German prisoners. He then returned and gave himself to forwarding the success of the attack without any regard to his personal safety. It is considered that Lieutenant Colonel Lay displayed extraordinary heroism above and beyond the call of duty.




      

1st Lieutenant Robert L. Montague, USMC

Navy Cross Citation:

The Navy Cross is awarded to First Lieutenant Robert L. Montague, United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service. During the advance in the battle of Meuse-Argonne, November 1, 1918, Lieutenant Montague organized a detachment of fifteen men and entered the town of St. Georges from the rear, under heavy artillery and machine-gun fire, capturing machine-gun nests, thereby enabling his company to advance.

Distinguished Service Cross Citation:

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to First Lieutenant Robert L. Montague, U.S. Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism in action near Landreville, France, November 1, 1918. When the advance of his company was held up, Lieutenant Montague voluntarily led a group of men in a flanking movement against a withering machine-gun fire, and under a heavy artillery bombardment entered and took the town of Landreville, capturing about 150 prisoners.




      

Major Maurice E. Shearer, USMC

Navy Cross Citation:

The Navy Cross is awarded to Major Maurice E. Shearer, United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism in action in the Bois de Belleau, France, June 25, 1918. Major Shearer displayed conspicuous courage, going forward at the head of his command, during the attack. Personally going along the front line after the objective had been reached, Major Shearer encouraged his men and directed the repulse of a counter-attack by the enemy. During the encounter his battalion took over 200 prisoners and 19 machine-guns.

Distinguished Service Cross Citation:

(the Distinguished Service Cross was presented for the same action as the Navy Cross, and the citation is substantially verbatim.)


     

General Lemuel C. Shepherd, USMC

Navy Cross Citation:

The Navy Cross is awarded to Captain Lemuel C. Shepherd, United States Marine Corps. On June 3, 1918, near the Lucy-Torcy Roads Captain Shepherd declined medical treatment after being wounded and continued courageously to lead his men.

Distinguished Service Cross Citation:

(the Distinguished Service Cross was presented for the same action as the Navy Cross, and the citation is substantially verbatim.)




Major Berton W. Sibley, USMC

Citation:

The Navy Cross is awarded to Major Berton W. Sibley, United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service and unexcelled gallantry as Battalion Commander, 3rd Battalion, 6th Regiment Marines. Major Sibley commanded his battalion in its attack upon enemy machine-gun positions at Belleau Woods, from June 6th to 8th, personally leading the attack on June 8th at a critical time in the engagement. Confronted by tremendous odds, his excellent judgment and personal bravery inspired his men to redoubled efforts. When all the officers of one of his companies (Company I) had been wounded he advanced with that company and displayed fine courage and dash throughout the action. This was on the 6th and 8th of June, 1918. He led his men superbly under most trying conditions against the most distinguished elements of the German Army, administering to those organizations their first defeat.




      

1st Lieutenant Merwin H. Silverthorn, USMC

Citation:

The Navy Cross is awarded to First Lieutenant Merwin H. Silverthorn, United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism in action near St. Etienne, France, October 4, 1918. Lieutenant Silverthorn carried an important message to his battalion commander and returned with instructions at a critical time through a heavy machine-gun and shell fire.

Distinghished Service Cross Citation:

(the Distinguished Service Cross was presented for the same action as the Navy Cross, and the citation is substantially verbatim.)


      

Lieutenant Colonel Julius Spear Turrill, USMC

Navy Cross Citation:

The Navy Cross is awarded to Lieutenant Colonel Julius Spear Turrill, United States Marine Corps. In the Bois de Bellau, France, June 6, 1918, Colonel Turrill displayed extraordinary heroism and set a splendid example in fearlessly leading his command under heavy fire against superior odds. Because of his bravery and initiative every possible advantage in the attack was obtained.

Distinguished Service Cross Citation: