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William Shemin

American Jewish Recipients of the Medal of Honor

Rank: SergeantShemin_new1

Service: U.S. Army

Unit: Company G, 47th Infantry, 4th Division

Birthdate: October 14, 1896

Place of Birth: New York, New York

Date of Death: August 15, 1973

Battle or Place of Action: Vesle River, South East of Bazoches, France

Date of Action: August 7-9, 1918

Sergeant William Shemin was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor, in June of 2015.

Citation:

Sergeant Shemin distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a Rifleman with G Company, 2d Battalion, 47th Infantry Regiment, 4th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in connection with combat operations against an armed enemy on the Vesle River, near Bazoches, France from August 7 to August 9, 1918. Sergeant Shemin left cover and crossed open space, repeatedly exposing himself to heavy machine-gun and rifle fire, to rescue wounded. After Officers and Senior Noncommissioned Officers had become casualties, Sergeant Shemin took command of the platoon and displayed great initiative under fire until wounded on August 9. Sergeant Shemin’s extraordinary heroism and selflessness, above and beyond the call of duty, are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

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