Matej Kocak-Lorraine, France
Posted by: 
Don.Morfe
N 49° 19.944 E 005° 05.484
31U E 651944 N 5466512
World War I double Medal of Honor Recipient. The Army Medal was for action near Soissons, France on July 18, 1918 and the Navy Medal was for action in the Viller-Cottertes section, south of Soissons, France on July 18, 1918. He was killed in action. He is buried in Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery, Romagne-sous-Montfaucon, Departement de la Meuse, Lorraine, France in Section D, Row 41, Site 32.
Waymark Code: WMXC45
Location: Grand-Est, France
Date Posted: 12/24/2017
Views: 1
He was born on December 31, 1882 in Slovakia and died on October 4, 1918 in Departement des Ardennes, Champagne-Ardenne, France. His Medal of Honor information and citation is: *KOCAK, MATEJ
Army Medal
• Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps, 66th Company, 5th Regiment, 2d Division
• Place and date: Near Soissons, France, 18 July 1918
• Entered service at: New York, N.Y.
• G.O. No.: 34, W.D., 1919
Citation: When the advance of his battalion was checked by a hidden machinegun nest, he went forward alone, unprotected by covering fire from his own men, and worked in between the German positions in the face of fire from enemy covering detachments. Locating the machinegun nest, he rushed it and with his bayonet drove off the crew. Shortly after this he organized 25 French colonial soldiers who had become separated from their company and led them in attacking another machinegun nest, which was also put out of action.
Navy Medal
• Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps
• Accredited to: New York
Citation: For extraordinary heroism while serving with the 66th Company, 5th Regiment, 2d Division, in action in the Viller-Cottertes section, south of Soissons, France, 18 July 1918. When a hidden machinegun nest halted the advance of his battalion, Sgt. Kocak went forward alone unprotected by covering fire and worked his way in between the German positions in the face of heavy enemy fire. Rushing the enemy position with his bayonet, he drove off the crew. Later the same day, Sgt. Kocak organized French colonial soldiers who had become separated from their company and led them in an attack on another machinegun nest which was also put out of action.
Armed Service: Marines
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