Frank J. Bart

The World War I Hero Who Silenced Two Machine Guns

Two German machine guns had stopped the American advance. Enemy fire made every movement dangerous. Then one soldier stepped forward, armed himself with an automatic rifle, and did something extraordinary. His name was Frank J. Bart, a United States Army soldier whose courage on the battlefields of France would earn him the Medal of Honor.

Born in New York City on April 15, 1883, Bart entered military service through Newark, New Jersey, during World War I. He served with Company C, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Division, American Expeditionary Forces. Although he eventually attained the rank of Sergeant, he was serving as a Private when he performed the remarkable act of heroism that secured his place in American military history.

On October 3, 1918, near Medeah Ferme, France, Bart was serving as a company runner when intense German machine-gun fire brought the American advance to a halt. Rather than remain behind the lines, he voluntarily picked up an automatic rifle and rushed ahead of his fellow soldiers. Exposing himself to enemy fire, he attacked a German machine-gun position, killed its operators, and silenced the weapon.

His courageous action allowed the American troops to resume their advance. But the danger was not over.

Shortly afterward, another German machine-gun nest stopped their progress. Bart once again moved forward and put the second enemy gun out of action. His extraordinary bravery under fire earned him the Medal of Honor, officially recognized in War Department General Orders No. 16, dated January 22, 1919.

On February 9, 1919, General John J. Pershing personally presented Bart with the Medal of Honor during a ceremony at Chaumont, France.

Bart's distinguished wartime service brought recognition beyond America's highest military decoration. Published honours records also credit him with two Silver Star awards, represented by a bronze oak leaf cluster, and the Purple Heart. His World War I Victory Medal is associated with five campaign credits: Aisne, Aisne-Marne, St. Mihiel, Meuse-Argonne, and Defensive Sector.

His gallantry also received international recognition. France honoured him with the Médaille militaire and the Croix de Guerre 1914–1918, the latter recorded with a bronze palm, silver star, and bronze star, representing citations at different command levels. His reported foreign decorations also included Italy's Croce al Merito di Guerra and the Medal for Military Bravery from the Kingdom of Montenegro.

Bart also belonged to the 9th Infantry Regiment, which earned the French Fourragère for three Croix de Guerre with Palm unit citations recognizing its actions at Château-Thierry, Aisne-Marne, and Meuse-Argonne.

Frank J. Bart died on March 31, 1961, and was laid to rest at Flower Hill Cemetery in North Bergen, New Jersey.

His legacy is defined by a moment when courage overcame overwhelming danger. He was assigned to carry messages, yet when his fellow soldiers could advance no farther, he chose to confront the enemy himself.

Two machine guns had stopped the advance. One determined soldier helped it move forward again.