Harry Lee Bennett, Jr.
Captain, U. S. Army
Distinguished Service Cross
GENERAL ORDERS:
War Department, General Orders No. 56 (1922)
CITATION:
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 (Infantry) Harry L. Bennett, Jr., United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 26th Infantry Regiment, 1st Division, A.E.F., at Soissons, France, 18 July 1918.
Being in command of a regimental train and having been instructed to deliver medical supplies at all costs to the advance first-aid station, and after all means of transportation had failed, Captain Bennett secured a wheel litter which he packed with medical supplies, then filled his arms and started forward under heavy artillery bombardment. He delivered the supplies as directed after having passed through the intense hostile counter barrage and aided in saving the lives of many wounded men.
His personal courage and utter disregard of danger gave proof of his high soldierly qualities. At St. Baussant on 12 September 1918, he personally and gallantly led a charge on an enemy machine gun which held up the advance of his battalion. He shot and killed the gunner and killed and captured many of the enemy. His splendid valor and coolness were an inspiration to his men and materially assisted in the success of the operation.