Medal of Honor: George G. McMurtry, World War I, October 2–8, 1918

Name: George G. McMurtry
Rank: Captain
War: World War I
Dates of Action: October 2–8, 1918
Unit: 308th Infantry Regiment, 77th Division
Entered Service At: New York, New York
Born: November 6, 1876, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Summary of Action
In the dark, shell-torn forest of the Argonne, Captain George McMurtry commanded a battalion that became part of the now-legendary “Lost Battalion” under Major Charles Whittlesey. Cut off and surrounded for six days, McMurtry’s men endured constant artillery, machine gun, and sniper fire—with no rations, no communication, and dwindling hope. On October 4, shrapnel tore into his knee, but McMurtry ignored the pain, moving calmly through the chaos to organize defenses and keep his men steady. When the enemy barrage intensified, he personally directed the evacuation of the wounded before taking cover himself. Two days later, a grenade exploded nearby, wounding his shoulder—but again, he refused evacuation. His composure, optimism, and example prevented panic and despair from breaking his command. On October 8, when relief forces finally broke through, McMurtry—still bleeding and exhausted—refused to be carried out until all his men had been accounted for and led to safety. His iron leadership and unflinching spirit were pivotal to the survival of the Lost Battalion.

Medal of Honor Citation
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.