Period:

First World War (1914-1918)

Rank:

Captain

Unit:

Tank Corps, American Expeditionary Forces (AEF), U.S. Army

Awarded on:

1919

"For extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Tank Corps, A.E.F., near Xivray, France, 12 September 1918. During the operations along the Rupt de Mad, Captain Semmes' tank fell into the water and was completely submerged. Upon escaping through the turret door and finding that his driver was still in the tank, Captain Semmes returned and rescued the driver under machine-gun fire."

War Department, General Orders No. 35

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Captain

Unit:

Tank Corps, American Expeditionary Forces (AEF), U.S. Army

Awarded on:

1919

"For extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Tank Corps, A.E.F., near Vauquois, France, 26 September 1918. Captain Semmes left his tank under severe rifle fire and personally reconnoitered a passage for his tank across the German trenches, remaining dismounted until the last tank had passed. While so engaged he was severely wounded."

War Department, General Orders No. 35 (second DSC received as Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster on the ribbon of the first medal)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Lieutenant Colonel

Unit:

66th Armored Regiment, 2nd Armored Division "Hell On Wheels", U.S. Army

Awarded on:

1942

Allied Force Headquarters, General Orders No. 28

Harry Semmes had already received two DSC's during the First World War and received this third decoration as his second Oak Leaf Cluster to be worn on the ribbon of the first DSC.