World War I Medal of Honor Recipient. He was a Lieutenant in the Medical Corps in the United States Naval Reserve Forces. His citation reads "For extraordinary heroism while serving with 5th Regiment, US Marines, in France during the attack in the Bois de Belleau, 11 June 1918. While under heavy fire of high-explosive and gas shells in the town of Lucy, where his dressing station was located, Lt. Petty attended to and evacuated the wounded under most trying conditions. Having been knocked to the ground by an exploding gas shell which tore his mask, Lt. Petty discarded the mask and courageously continued his work. His dressing station being hit and demolished, he personally helped carry Capt. Williams, wounded, through the shellfire to a place of safety." Captain Lloyd W. Williams died the next day. Besides the medal of honor, Petty was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star, the Croix de guerre with palm from France, and the Croce di Guerra from Italy. Born with a twin brother, he was a graduate in 1904 of the medical school at Thomas Jefferson University and taught at the school after graduation. He married and the couple had a son and a daughter. With a serious decline in his health, he died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
World War I Medal of Honor Recipient. He was a Lieutenant in the Medical Corps in the United States Naval Reserve Forces. His citation reads "For extraordinary heroism while serving with 5th Regiment, US Marines, in France during the attack in the Bois de Belleau, 11 June 1918. While under heavy fire of high-explosive and gas shells in the town of Lucy, where his dressing station was located, Lt. Petty attended to and evacuated the wounded under most trying conditions. Having been knocked to the ground by an exploding gas shell which tore his mask, Lt. Petty discarded the mask and courageously continued his work. His dressing station being hit and demolished, he personally helped carry Capt. Williams, wounded, through the shellfire to a place of safety." Captain Lloyd W. Williams died the next day. Besides the medal of honor, Petty was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star, the Croix de guerre with palm from France, and the Croce di Guerra from Italy. Born with a twin brother, he was a graduate in 1904 of the medical school at Thomas Jefferson University and taught at the school after graduation. He married and the couple had a son and a daughter. With a serious decline in his health, he died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Bio by: Don Morfe
Inscription
LT USN
MEDAL OF HONOR
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS
Family Members
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