Medal of Honor: George H. Mallon, World War I, September 26, 1918

Name: George H. Mallon
Rank: Captain
War: World War I
Date of Action: September 26, 1918
Unit: 132nd Infantry Regiment, 33rd Division, U.S. Army
Accredited to: Minnesota

Summary of Action
Separated from his company in the thick Bois-de-Forges, Captain Mallon pressed forward with only nine soldiers at his side. Instead of retreating, he led them in a daring charge against nine active German machine gun nests, capturing them all without a single casualty. Driving deeper through the woods, Mallon’s small band stormed a battery of four 155mm howitzers in action, seizing the guns and their crews. At one point, Mallon even attacked an enemy soldier with his bare fists. Later, when confronted by two more machine guns, he personally charged headlong into fire, silencing the weapons himself. His audacity and relentless determination inspired his men and brought about the capture of 100 prisoners, 11 machine guns, four heavy howitzers, and an antiaircraft gun—all with a mere squad of ten men.

Medal of Honor Citation
Becoming separated from the balance of his company because of a fog, Capt. Mallon, with 9 soldiers, pushed forward and attacked 9 active hostile machineguns, capturing all of them without the loss of a man. Continuing on through the woods, he led his men in attacking a battery of four 155-millimeter howitzers, which were in action, rushing the position and capturing the battery and its crew. In this encounter Capt. Mallon personally attacked 1 of the enemy with his fists. Later, when the party came upon 2 more machineguns, this officer sent men to the flanks while he rushed forward directly in the face of the fire and silenced the guns, being the first one of the party to reach the nest. The exceptional gallantry and determination displayed by Capt. Mallon resulted in the capture of 100 prisoners, 11 machineguns, four 155-millimeter howitzers and 1 antiaircraft gun.