Medal of Honor: Patrick Regan, World War I, October 8, 1918
Bleeding and armed only with an empty pistol, Patrick Regan charged a German machine gun nest—capturing thirty enemy gunners and clearing the way for two companies to advance.
October 8, 2025
Name: Patrick Regan
Rank: Second Lieutenant
War: World War I
Date of Action: October 8, 1918
Unit: 115th Infantry Regiment, 29th Division
Entered Service At: Los Angeles, California
Born: Middleboro, Massachusetts
Summary of Action
In the Bois-de-Consenvoye, France, Second Lieutenant Patrick Regan faced an enemy position that had stopped the advance of two companies with relentless machine gun fire. Refusing to let his men falter, he divided his platoon into three attack elements—two flanking teams and one direct assault group that he personally led. Charging through the open under a storm of bullets, his small team was torn apart—two killed instantly, one badly wounded. Though seriously wounded himself and out of ammunition, Regan refused to stop. With only his empty pistol in hand, he lunged forward into the machine gun nest, overwhelming the stunned defenders and capturing thirty Austrian gunners along with four of their weapons. His lone assault broke the enemy stronghold, allowing the trapped companies to surge forward and continue the attack. Gravely wounded, Regan still led his men until ordered to the rear. His leadership, ferocity, and disregard for his own life turned certain defeat into a stunning breakthrough.
Medal of Honor Citation
REGAN, PATRICK
Rank and organization: Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army, 115th Infantry, 29th Division. Place and date: Bois-de-Consenvoye, France, 8 October 1918. Entered service at: Los Angeles, Calif. Birth: Middleboro, Mass. G.O. No.: 50, W.D., 1919. Citation: While leading his platoon against a strong enemy machinegun nest which had held up the advance of 2 companies, 2d Lt. Regan divided his men into 3 groups, sending 1 group to either flank, and he himself attacking with an automatic rifle team from the front. Two of the team were killed outright, while 2d Lt. Regan and the third man were seriously wounded, the latter unable to advance. Although severely wounded, 2d Lt. Regan dashed with empty pistol into the machinegun nest, capturing 30 Austrian gunners and 4 machineguns. This gallant deed permitted the companies to advance, avoiding a terrific enemy fire. Despite his wounds, he continued to lead his platoon forward until ordered to the rear by his commanding officer.
