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Sergeant Russell J. Conn, Co. A, 107th Infantry, 27th Division, A.E.F., Silver Star, British Military Medal


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Russell J. Conn was born December 15, 1896. Conn was a Sergeant in Co. A, 107th Infantry, 27th Division. “Sgt. Russell J. Conn, on September 29, 1918, in the battle of the Hindenburg Line east of Ronssoy, was in command of a platoon during an attack. He displayed great initiative and coolness under heavy machine gun fire. The platoon met severe opposition from a group of enemy machine guns, which made it almost impossible for further advance. He at once organized a squad of bombers, leading them to a position within bombing range of the enemy, and by throwing a great many enemy bombs at this machine gun position, which was inflicting severe enfilading fire, killed the enemy operator and caused the others to evacuate the gun. In the meantime his comrades had been either killed or wounded and he advanced to the gun, trying to operate it and turn it on the backs of the enemy. But the enemy had removed some part of the mechanism, making it impossible to operate the gun. As Sgt. Conn was operating under heavy fire from the other guns of this nest, he had to evacuate, but before doing so removed the telescopic sight from the enemy gun and returned to the trench, giving valuable information to the officer in command there as to the strength, position, and location of the machine gun nest.” Conn was awarded the Silver Star Medal, the British Military Medal, the Croix de Guerre and the New Jersey Distinguished Service Medal. After the war Conn re-enlisted in the 7th Regiment, New York National Guard. Conn became very involved in Rotary and was awarded the Paul Harris Fellow Medal. He also studied art and became a very well known watercolorist. His paintings were displayed in shows and galleries throughout the United States. Conn died in September of 1983.

 

Sergeant RUSSELL J. CONN, Co. A, 107th Infantry

Silver Star

On September 29, 1918, during the operations against the Hindenburg line east of Ronssoy, Sergeant Conn displayed great gallantry and bravery under heavy machine-gun and shell fire. He advanced at the head of a few men against a group of enemy machine-guns which were inflicting severe enfilading fire on his command. After bombing the post and putting it out of action, although all of his comrades were either killed or wounded, he advanced alone and reached the machine-gun post.

 

RUSSELL J. CONN, Sm, Co. A.
British Military Medal

Sgt. Russell J. Conn, on September 29, 1918, in the battle of the Hindenburg Line, was in command of a platoon during an attack. He displayed great initiative and coolness under heavy machine gun fire. The platoon met severe opposition from a group of enemy machine guns, which made it almost impossible for further advance. He at once organized a squad of bombers, leading them to a position within bombing range of the enemy, and by throwing a great many enemy bombs at this machine gun position, which was inflicting severe enfilading fire, killed the enemy operator and caused the others to evacuate the gun. In the meantime his comrades had been either killed or wounded and he advanced to the gun, trying to operate it and turn it on the backs of the enemy. But the enemy had removed some part of the mechanism, making it impossible to operate the gun. As Sgt. Conn was operating under heavy fire from the other guns of this nest, he had to evacuate, but before doing so removed the telescopic sight from the enemy gun and returned to the trench, giving valuable information to the officer in command there as to the strength, position, and location of the machine gun nest.

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The British Military Medal is unnamed as it should be. The Croix de Guerre with Palm is not listed in his records, however, it was with the group so I included it.

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