Robert R. Van Duesen
Born: at Vineland, New Jersey
Home Town: Vineland, New Jersey
Distinguished Service Cross
U.S. Marine Corps
World War I
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Robert R. Van Duesen, Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving with the 17th Company, 5th Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, A.E.F. in action near St. Etienne, France, October 4, 1918. With his platoon in a very dangerous position, Sergeant Van Duesen volunteered to carry a message from his platoon commander across a machine-gun swept field. Having successfully accomplished his mission, he returned and, while directing his men to shelter, he was severely wounded by a machine-gun bullet.
Navy Cross
U.S. Marine Corps
World War I
The Navy Cross is presented to Robert R. Van Duesen, Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving with the 17th Company, 5th Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, A.E.F. in action near St. Etienne, France, October 4, 1918. With his platoon in a very dangerous position, Sergeant Van Duesen volunteered to carry a message from his platoon commander across a machine-gun swept field. Having successfully accomplished his mission, he returned and, while directing his men to shelter, he was severely wounded by a machine-gun bullet.
