The President of the United States
in the name of The Congress
takes pleasure in presenting the
Medal of Honor
to
McMURTRY, GEORGE G.
Rank and Organization: Captain, U.S. Army, 308th
Infantry, 77th Division. Place and Date: At Charlevaux, in the forest of Argonne,
France, 2-8 October 1918. Entered Service At: New York, N.Y. Born: 6
November 1876, Pittsburgh, Pa. G. O. No.: 118, W.D., 1918.
Citation:
Commanded a battalion which was cut off and surrounded by the enemy and although wounded
in the knee by shrapnel on 4 October and suffering great pain, he continued throughout the
entire period to encourage his officers and men with a resistless optimism that
contributed largely toward preventing panic and disorder among the troops, who were
without food, cut off from communication with our lines. On 4 October during a heavy
barrage, he personally directed and supervised the moving of the wounded to shelter before
himself seeking shelter. On 6 October he was again wounded in the shoulder by a German
grenade, but continued personally to organize and direct the defense against the German
attack on the position until the attack was defeated. He continued to direct and command
his troops, refusing relief, and personally led his men out of the position after
assistance arrived before permitting himself to be taken to the hospital on 8 October.
During this period the successful defense of the position was due largely to his efforts.
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