President Barack Obama will award the Medal of Honor to Army Sgt. William Shemin of Bayonne, posthumously on June 2, for his “conspicuous gallantry” during World War I, the White House has announced.
Elsie Shemin-Roth of Webster Grove, Mo., will join the president at The White House to accept the Medal of Honor on her father’s behalf.
Sgt. Shemin will be the third Bayonne man to receive the honor, following Stephen R. Gregg and Nicholas Oresko. 2015 Memorial Day Grand Marshal Glen Flora made the announcement prior to the start of the parade to the cheers of those in attendance.
Flora has been commander of the World War I Post 226, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States of America, since 2005. He is also the founder of the post’s Veterans Museum, which opened in 2006.
Flora received the call from the Pentagon about Shemin’s honor on Monday, May 18, and was not sure it was for real.
“At first when they called I thought they were kidding,” he said. “Bayonne already has two; Gregg and Oresko, and now, Shemin. That’s a lot for a small town.”
Gregg and Oresko received their medals for service in World War II.
Shemin will receive the medal for his actions while serving as a member of the American Expeditionary Forces. He distinguished himself during combat operations in the vicinity of the Vesle River, Bazoches, France, from Aug. 7 to 9, 1918.
“At first when they called I thought they were kidding.” – Glen Flora
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While a rifleman there, Shemin left the cover of his platoon’s trench and crossed open space, repeatedly exposing himself to heavy machine gun and rifle fire to rescue the wounded, according to The White House.
“After officers and senior non-commissioned officers became casualties, Shemin took command of the platoon and displayed great initiative under fire, until he was wounded on Aug. 9,” the statement said.
“With the most utter disregard for his own safety, (Shemin) sprang from his position in his platoon trench, dashed out across the open in full sight of the Germans, who opened and maintained a furious burst of machine gun and rifle fire,” said Capt. Rupert Purdon, one of Shemin’s superiors.
It is believed that Shemin, only 19 at the time, sprinted across the battlefield to pull comrades to safety no fewer than three times. He took shrapnel and was wounded by a machine gun bullet that pierced his helmet and lodged behind his left ear.
For his injuries in combat, Shemin received the Purple Heart and the Distinguished Service Cross for battlefield valor.
Shemin becomes only the 125th service member to receive the Medal of Honor for World War I action.
Shemin entered the Army on Oct. 2, 1917. He was assigned as a rifleman to Company G, 47th Infantry Regiment, which moved from Syracuse, N.Y. to Camp Greene, N.C., joining the 4th Infantry Division. The division arrived in France in May 1918.
Other awardee
President Obama also will honor Army Pvt. Henry Johnson of New York posthumously for his service during World War I. Johnson will receive his medal for his actions during combat operations in France on May 15, 1918.
While on night sentry duty, Pvt. Johnson and a fellow soldier thwarted a surprise attack by a German raiding party of at least 12 soldiers.
“While under intense enemy fire, and despite receiving significant wounds, Johnson mounted a brave retaliation resulting in several enemy casualties,” The White House statement said.
When his fellow soldier was badly wounded, Pvt. Johnson prevented him from being taken prisoner by German forces.
“Private Johnson exposed himself to grave danger by advancing from his position to engage an enemy soldier in hand-to-hand combat,” the statement said. “Displaying great courage, Johnson held back the enemy force until they retreated.”
Medal qualifications
The Medal of Honor is awarded to members of the Armed Forces who distinguish themselves conspicuously by “gallantry above and beyond the call of duty.” These instances can be while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States; engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.
The meritorious conduct must involve great personal bravery or self-sacrifice so conspicuous as to clearly distinguish the individual above his or her comrades and must have involved risk of life. There must be incontestable proof of the performance of the meritorious conduct, and each recommendation for the award must be considered on the standard of extraordinary merit.
Joseph Passantino may be reached at JoePass@hudsonreporter.com.To comment on this story online visit www.hudsonreporter.com. To comment on this story online visit www.hudsonreporter.com.