Congressional Medal of Honor Society

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World War I - U.S. Army

William Shemin

Details
  • Rank: Sergeant
  • Conflict/Era: World War I
  • Unit/Command:
    Company G, 2nd Battalion, 47th Infantry Regiment,
    4th Division Expeditionary Forces
  • Military Service Branch: U.S. Army
  • Medal of Honor Action Date: August 7 - 9, 1918
  • Medal of Honor Action Place: Bazoches, France
Citation

Sergeant William Shemin distinguished himself by extraordinary acts of heroism at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a Rifleman with G Company, 2d Battalion, 47th Infantry Regiment, 4th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in connection with combat operations against an armed enemy on the Vesle River, near Bazoches, France from August 7 to August 9, 1918. Sergeant Shemin, upon three different occasions, left cover and crossed an open space of 150 yards, repeatedly exposing himself to heavy machine-gun and rifle fire, to rescue wounded. After officers and senior noncommissioned officers had become casualties, Sergeant Shemin took command of the platoon and displayed great initiative under fire until wounded on August 9. Sergeant Shemin's extraordinary heroism and selflessness, above and beyond the call of duty, are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, with G Company, 2d Battalion, 47th Infantry Regiment, 4th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, and the United States Army.

Medal of Honor Recipient William Shemin
Medal of Honor Recipient William Shemin
Additional Details
  • Accredited to: Syracuse, Onondaga County, New York
  • Awarded Posthumously: Yes
  • Presentation Date & Details: June 2, 2015

    White House by President Barack Obama to his daughter Elsie Shemin-Roth.

  • Born: October 14, 1896, Bayonne, Hudson County, NJ, United States
  • Died: August 15, 1973, Syracuse, NY, United States
  • Buried: Baron Hirsch Cemetery, Staten Island, NY, United States
 
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