Distinguished Service Cross Recipients from 150^TH Machine Gun Battalion during World War I

There were at least six Soldiers from the 150^TH Machine Gun Battalion who were decorated with the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) during WWI, four of those were awarded posthumously.

Read here of the deeds of these brave heroes and do not forget them!

The names which are preceded by an asterisk denote posthumous awards.

Barrow, Charles L.
First Lieutenant (Infantry), U.S. Army
120th Machine-Gun Battalion, 42d Div., A.E.F. [must be either 120th MGB, 32d Div., or 150th MGB, 42d Div.]
Date of Action:   July 30 & 31, 1918
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Charles L. Barrow, First Lieutenant (Infantry), U.S. Army, for Extraordinary heroism in action northeast of Chateau-Thierry, France, July 30 & 31, 1918. Acting as leader of a platoon, First Lieutenant Barrow stimulated his men by his heroic conduct to success until incapacitated by a second wound.
General Orders No. No. 4, W.D., 1927
Born:   at Houston, Texas
Home Town:   Austin, Texas


*Brockman, William L.
Private First Class, U.S. Army
Company A, 150th Machine-Gun Battalion, 42d Div., A.E.F.
Date of Action:   July 15, 1918
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to William L. Brockman, Private First Class, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near Auberive, France, July 15, 1918. Private Brockman continued to operate his machine gun against the attacking enemy after all other members of the crew had been killed. Then, going forward to rescue a wounded comrade, was himself instantly killed.
General Orders No. No. 3, W.D., 1935
Born:   at Appleton, Wisconsin
Home Town:   Appleton, Wisconsin


*Cramp, Tony
Private, U.S. Army
Company B, 150th Machine-Gun Battalion, 42d Div., A.E.F.
Date of Action:   July 28, 1918
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Tony Cramp, Private, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action during the action north of the Ourcq River, near Villers-sur-Fere, France, on July 28, 1918. Private Cramp showed extraordinary courage and ability as a leader of men in field of battle. When his section sergeant had been killed and his corporal wounded, he assumed command of his gun section and led them forward against the enemy, directing the fire with effect until killed.
General Orders No. 88, W.D., 1918
Born:   at Germany
Home Town:   Fond du Lac, Wisconsin


*Grabinski, Elmer C.
Corporal, U.S. Army
Company B, 150th Machine-Gun Battalion, 42d Div., A.E.F.
Date of Action:   July 28, 1918
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Elmer C. Grabinski, Corporal, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in the action between Sergy and Villers-sur-Fere, France, on July 28, 1918. Corporal Grabinski led his gun crew with courage and fearlessness in the attack north of the River Ourcq. He directed the fire of his gun with excellent effect, shooting several enemy snipers. Showing always the greatest eagerness to press forward and always disregarding his own safety, he was killed after leading his men forward successfully to their objective.
General Orders No. 99, W.D., 1918
Born:   at Miller, South Carolina
Home Town:   Fond du Lac, Wisconsin


*Halfmann, Anthony N.
Sergeant, U.S. Army
Company B, 150th Machine-Gun Battalion, 42d Div., A.E.F.
Date of Action:   July 28, 1918
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Anthony N. Halfmann, Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near Villers-sur-Fere, France, July 28, 1918. Sergeant Halfmann displayed courage, coolness, and leadership throughout the attack on the enemy positions north of the River Ourcq. The machine-gun crew which he was directing shot seven enemy snipers from their posts. He was killed while reconnoitering in advance of our lines for an advantageous position for his guns.
General Orders No. No. 102, W.D., 1918
Born:   at Peebles, Wisconsin
Home Town:   Fond du Lac, Wisconsin

Snyder, Willis P.

Private, U.S. Army

Company D, 150th Machine-Gun Battalion, 42d Div., A.E.F.

Date of Action: July 15, 1918

Citation:

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Willis P. Snyder, Private, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action east of Reims, France, July 15, 1918. While manning a machine gun against the enemy, and after all his comrades had either been killed or wounded, Private Snyder remained at his post and, in the hand-to-hand fight which ensued, forced the enemy to retire, and, although wounded he attempted to carry back his wounded comrades. His supreme courage and devotion to duty were an inspiration to all associated with him.

General Orders No. No. 128, W.D., 1918

Born: at Reading, Pennsylvania

Home Town: Reading, Pennsylvania

PVT Snyder was also bestowed with the Croix de Guerre.

*Citation de Willis P. Snyder

“Tous ses Camarades ayant ete tues ou blesses a continue a manoeuvrer les mitrailleuses et dans le corps a corps qui suivit a force l'ennemi a se retirer. Bien que blesse a essaye de ramener ses camerades blesses. Son courage et son abnegation ont fait l'admiration de tous ceux qui l'ont approche.”

Au Grand Quartier General,

Petain,

Marechal de France.

Le 16 Avril, 1919.

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