George G. McMurtry

Sustaining an encircled battalion in the Argonne

George G. McMurtry was born on November 6, 1876, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. During World War I, he served as a captain with the 1st Battalion, 308th Infantry, 77th Division.

From October 2 to 8, 1918, his battalion was surrounded in the Argonne Forest near Charlevaux, France. Without food or communication with friendly lines, the soldiers depended on determined leadership. Shrapnel wounded McMurtry's knee on October 4, yet he supervised the movement of casualties to shelter. A grenade wounded his shoulder two days later, but he continued organizing the defense.

After help arrived, McMurtry led his men out before accepting hospital treatment. General John Pershing presented his Medal of Honor at Chaumont on February 9, 1919. He later attained major. McMurtry died in New York City on November 22, 1958, and is buried at Ledge Lawn Cemetery in Bar Harbor, Maine. His award commemorates steadfast leadership during isolation and repeated wounds.

Medal of Honor Citation

Commanded a battalion which was cut off and surrounded by the enemy and although wounded in the knee by shrapnel on 4 October and suffering great pain, he continued throughout the entire period to encourage his officers and men with a resistless optimism that contributed largely toward preventing panic and disorder among the troops, who were without food, cut off from communication with our lines.

On 4 October during a heavy barrage, he personally directed and supervised the moving of the wounded to shelter before himself seeking shelter. On 6 October he was again wounded in the shoulder by a German grenade, but continued personally to organize and direct the defense against the German attack on the position until the attack was defeated.

He continued to direct and command his troops, refusing relief, and personally led his men out of the position after assistance arrived before permitting himself to be taken to the hospital on 8 October. During this period the successful defense of the position was due largely to his efforts.