Henry Gilbert Costin

Private, U.S. Army

Medal of Honor Recipient

World War I

Private Henry Gilbert Costin (15 June 1898 - 8 October 1918) was a U.S. Army soldier who was posthumously awarded the U.S. military's highest award for valor, the Medal of Honor, for his heroic actions during World War I.

Henry Gilbert Costin was born on 15 June 1898 in Baltimore, MD, and graduated from the Baltimore City College high school in 1914. After enlisting in the Army he was sent to France to fight in World War I.

Costin's platoon of Company H, 115th Infantry, 29th Division, was held up by fire from an enemy machinegun. As part of an automatic rifle team, Costin was the first to volunteer to charge the machinegun nest. The fire team advanced against heavy artillery, machinegun, and mortar fire. After all his comrades had become casualties, and he had been seriously wounded, Costin continued the attack by himself, firing until he collapsed. His act resulted in the capture of about 100 prisoners and several machineguns. He succumbed from the effects of his wounds shortly after the accomplishment of his heroic deed. Costin was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions.

Medal of Honor

Rank and organization: Private, U.S. Army, Company H, 115th Infantry, 29th Division.

Place and date: Near Bois-de-Consenvoye, France, 8 October 1918.

Citation: When the advance of his platoon had been held up by machinegun fire and a request was made for an automatic rifle team to charge the nest, Pvt. Costin was the first to volunteer. Advancing with his team, under terrific fire of enemy artillery, machineguns, and trench mortars, he continued after all his comrades had become casualties and he himself had been seriously wounded. He operated his rifle until he collapsed. His act resulted in the capture of about 100 prisoners and several machineguns. He succumbed from the effects of his wounds shortly after the accomplishment of his heroic deed.

Honors

The Liberty Ship SS Henry Gilbert Costin (Maritime Commission Hull Number 0950, U.S. Merchant Marine Association), built at the Bethlehem Shipyard in Baltimore in 1943, was named for Private Costin and used for troop transport during World War II.

The PVT Henry Costin National Guard Armory at 8601 Odell Road in Laurel, MD, is named in honor of PVT Costin.

The PVT Henry Costin Dining Facility on Omaha Beach Circle at the Camp Fretterd Military Reservation in Reisterstown, MD, (Maryland Army National Guard) is named to honor him.

Death and Burial

Private Henry Gilbert Costin was killed in action on 8 October 1918. His body was returned to the United States and is buried in Loudon Park National Cemetery in Baltimore, MD, in Section B, Grave 460.