William J. Bracken

Pharmacist’s Mate Second Class: For gallantry in action while serving as a Medical Corpsman with the 6th Marines, 2d Division, A.E.F., on October 04, 1918 at Somme-Py, France.

The Navy Cross is awarded to Pharmacist’s Mate Second Class William J. Bracken, U.S. Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and heroic conduct while attached to the Sixth Marines. Pharmacist’s Mate Bracken showed great devotion to duty at Blanc Mont, Champagne region, France, October 3 – 10, 1918, in giving first aid and evacuating the wounded under very trying conditions. On October 4th, during a heavy gas-shell bombardment near Sommepy, he bravely continued dressing all wounded brought to the battalion aid station. On the evening of the same day he unhesitatingly went to the scene of severely wounded, carrying them back on stretchers.