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Official Citation for George Robb's  Congressional Medal of Honor

click citations for World War l at:

U.S. Army Center of Military History

ROBB, GEORGE S.

Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, U.S. Army, 369th Infantry, 93d Division. Place and date: Near Sechault, France, 29-30 September 1918. Entered service at: Salina, Kans. Born: 18 May 1887, Assaria, Kans. G.O. No.: 16, W.D., 1919. Citation: While leading his platoon in the assault 1st Lt. Robb was severely wounded by machinegun fire, but rather than go to the rear for proper treatment he remained with his platoon until ordered to the dressing station by his commanding officer. Returning within 45 minutes, he remained on duty throughout the entire night, inspecting his lines and establishing outposts. Early the next morning he was again wounded, once again displaying his remarkable devotion to duty by remaining in command of his platoon. Later the same day a bursting shell added 2 more wounds, the same shell killing his commanding officer and 2 officers of his company. He then assumed command of the company and organized its position in the trenches. Displaying wonderful courage and tenacity at the critical times, he was the only officer of his battalion who advanced beyond the town, and by clearing machinegun and sniping posts contributed largely to the aid of his battalion in holding their objective. His example of bravery and fortitude and his eagerness to continue with his mission despite severe wounds set before the enlisted men of his command a most wonderful standard of morale and self-sacrifice.

This painting shows the 369th Infantry in action. I just discovered it on the Web. I'd like to imagine that the white officer on the right is my grandfather. I believe the painting is meant to illustrate the action at Sechault. 

My Grandfather was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor but he always felt it had been partly a political award since the US army was disinclined to award such an honor to a black soldier. My grandfather was white and thus safe. The following quote from a news article describes the battle my Grandfather was in charge of after his superiors were killed. The story is about a recent posthumous recommendation for a Medal of Honor for Henry Johnson, one of the black soldiers of the 369th. 

"The unit’s finest hour came in the battle of the Meuse-Argonne when the 369th succeeded in taking and holding the town of Sechault against massed artillery, extensive fields of machine gun fire and heavily entrenched German defenders. The price was high, with fully a third of the “Noirs Americains” lying dead on the battlefield, and the French presented the entire regiment with the Croix de Guerre. Theirs was a record worthy of pride to any regiment."