Maj. John McNulty of Revere, Massachusetts (fl. c. 1918), American Expeditionary Forces, was a U.S. Marine Corps World War I war hero. For his service in that conflict, then, 1st Sgt. McNulty was awarded the Navy Cross [1] (for "Extraordinary heroism in combat not justifying the Medal of Honor"), the Distinguished Service Cross (United States) [2] (for "Distinguishes himself by extraordinary heroism not justifying the Medal of Honor") and, twice, the Silver Star [3] (for "gallantry in action against an enemy of the United States").
McNulty's most significant act of valor occurred in action between Blanc Mont and St. Etienne, France, on October 4, 1918, while he was a gunnery sergeant. With the crew of his machine gun all killed or wounded about him and while himself under heavy artillery and machine gun fire and severely, near mortally, wounded, Gunnery McNulty voluntarily stood his Vickers gun against Central Powers forces until they were repulsed. Not relinquishing his post even after the enemy retired, McNulty had to be then actually ordered off the field and to the rear for surgical treatment by his commanding officer. [4]
McNulty was also promoted from 1st Sgt. to Marine Gunner for his heroism at Blanc Mont. He was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in 1921 and retired from the U.S. Marine Corps in 1940 at the rank of major, having served a total 40 years with the Corps. [5]
Here are some of the medals and decorations awarded 1st Sgt. McNulty:
The Silver Star Medal (SSM) is the United States Armed Forces' third-highest military decoration for valor in combat. The Silver Star Medal is awarded primarily to members of the United States Armed Forces for gallantry in action against an enemy of the United States.
The Croix de Guerre is a military decoration of France. It was first created in 1915 and consists of a square-cross medal on two crossed swords, hanging from a ribbon with various degree pins. The decoration was first awarded during World War I, again in World War II, and in other conflicts; the croix de guerre des théâtres d'opérations extérieures was established in 1921 for these. The Croix de Guerre was also commonly bestowed on foreign military forces allied to France.
The Navy Cross is the United States Naval Service's second-highest military decoration awarded for Sailors and Marines who distinguish themselves for extraordinary heroism in combat with an armed enemy force. The medal is equivalent to the Army's Distinguished Service Cross, the Air and Space Forces' Air Force Cross, and the Coast Guard Cross.
The Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) is the United States Army's second highest military decoration for soldiers who display extraordinary heroism in combat with an armed enemy force. Actions that merit the Distinguished Service Cross must be of such a high degree that they are above those required for all other U.S. combat decorations, but which do not meet the criteria for the Medal of Honor. The Army Distinguished Service Cross is equivalent to the Naval Services' Navy Cross, the Air and Space Forces' Air Force Cross, and the Coast Guard Cross. Prior to the creation of the Air Force Cross in 1960, airmen were awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.
Louis Cukela was a Croatian American United States Marine numbered among the nineteen two-time recipients of the Medal of Honor. Cukela was awarded the Medal by both the US Army and the US Navy for the same action during the Battle of Soissons in World War I. He was also awarded decorations from France, Italy, and Kingdom of Yugoslavia.
Daniel Joseph Daly was a United States Marine and one of nineteen U.S. servicemen to have been awarded the Medal of Honor twice. Daly and Major General Smedley Butler are the only Marines who earned two Medals of Honor for two separate acts of valor.
Fred William Stockham was a United States Marine who posthumously received the Medal of Honor for his self-sacrificial valor during the Battle of Belleau Wood in World War I.
John Henry Balch was a United States Naval Reserve officer. He received the Medal of Honor for his actions in World War I.
John Henry Pruitt was a United States Marine during World War I and is one of only 19 people who have received two Medals of Honor.
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John Henry Quick was a United States Marine who received the Medal of Honor for his actions at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba in 1898 during the Spanish–American War and the Distinguished Service Cross and the Navy Cross during World War I.
Sergeant Major Ernest August Janson was a United States Marine who was highly decorated for his heroic actions in World War I. He was awarded both the Army and Navy Medal of Honor, the French Médaille militaire and Croix de Guerre as well as decorations from Italy, Montenegro and Portugal. During World War I he served under the name Charles F. Hoffman.
Matej Kocak, a United States Marine Corps sergeant, was posthumously awarded both the Army and Navy Medals of Honor, for "heroism above and beyond the call of duty" in action against the enemy on July 18, 1918. Less than three months after his act of heroism he was killed in action by enemy gunfire in the Battle of Blanc Mont Ridge in France while serving as a member of the 66th Company, 5th Regiment.
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Victor France Bleasdale was a brigadier general in the United States Marine Corps. He was awarded the Navy Cross and Distinguished Service Cross for his actions during the Battle of Blanc Mont Ridge in World War I. Later he received a second Navy Cross for his service at the Battle of San Fernando during the Second Nicaraguan Campaign.
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John Groff was a brigadier general in the United States Marine Corps whose military career spanned from 1912 to 1946. Groff was a highly decorated veteran of World War I, earning the Navy Cross, Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star, and Purple Heart medals. He also participated in the Banana Wars, and World War II. At the time of his death in 1990 at age 100, BG Groff was the oldest surviving general officer in the Marine Corps.
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