Sgt. Henry Poisson was the most decorated soldier in the 150th. He is one of the few American Soldiers to be awarded the British Medal for his Courage and Devotion beyond the call of duty. Below is his Award.

C I T A T I O N

SERGEANT HENRY B. POISSON

UNITED STATES ARMY

MILITARY MEDAL

On 9th September, 1944, during an assault crossing of the Moselle River, Sergeant Poisson was in charge of the first boat to reach the enemy shore successfully. Due to the casualties suffered by our infantry troops, further crossings were imperative. Sergeant Poisson made four trips carrying supplies and evacuated twenty wounded infantrymen. On the fifth trip at 0230 hours the enemy shot flares over the river, machine gunned the boat crew, and wounded two members of the crew. After this action it was impossible to use a narrow strip of land to evacuate wounded and bring up supplies. A small lake behind this narrow island afforded some protection, though it was subjected to direct enemy machine gun and mortar fire. Sergeant Poisson stripped himself and, by swimming and pushing the boat, evacuated the wounded and administered first aid until medics arrived.

Sergeant Poisson's devotion beyond all call of duty and determination to accomplish the mission reflect the highest credit upon himself and the military service.

Dear Sergeant Poisson,

I have received from His Majesty's Embassy in Washington the Military Medal for formal presentation to you.

I also have some other presentations which I propose to make at the same time, and I am writing now to inquire whether it would be convenient to you to attend a presentation ceremony at the British Officers Club, 99 State Street (2nd floor), Boston, on Thursday, June 19th, at 5 p.m.

If you would care to bring a relative with you to the ceremony, I hope you will do so.

I would like to take this opportunity of sending you my warm personal congratulations on this award.

Yours sincerely,

Bernard Ponsonby Sullivan
British Consul General.

Sergeant Henry B. Poisson,
R.F.D. No. 2,
Maine.

SUBJECT: Award of British Decorations to U.S. Military Personnel.

TO : Commanding Officer, 150th Engineer Combat Battalion, APO 403, U.S. Army.

1. Field Marshal B.L. Montgomery, Commander-in-Chief, 21 Army Group, has granted immediate British awards (as indicated below) to the following named U.S. Military Personnel.

MILITARY MEDAL
Sergeant Henry B. Poisson, 3132****

2. Authority has been granted to the above-named to accept and wear the proffered awards, formal presentation of which will be made at a later date. (Auth.: List, Hq 21 Army Group, File, encl. to 21 Group/1288/WS, Subject: "Immediate Awards to U.S. Army", dated 14 June 1945, and 1st W/Ind., Hq USFET, File AG 200.62 EPD, dated 2 August 1945.)

3. Recipients will be informed that they may wear the appropriate ribbon but that no publicity about these awards may be given to the press, either by them or their relatives at home, until confirmation by H.H. The King has been received.

4. In the event that a recipient is no longer a member of your command, it is desired that this Headquarters be advised at the earliest practicable date as to the manner of separation of the individual concerned from your command, giving forwarding address, if known.

By Command of General PATTON: