Henry Gilbert Costin
Encyclopedia
Henry Gilbert Costin was a private in the United States Army who received the Medal of Honor
for his actions in World War I near Bois–de–Consenvoye, France during the Meuse–Argonne Offensive.
, Maryland
and graduated from the Baltimore City College
high school in 1914. After enlisting in the United States Army was sent to France to fight in World War I where he was killed.
He died October 8, 1918 near Bois–de–Consenvoye, France and after his body was returned to the United States was buried in Loudon Park National Cemetery Baltimore, Maryland. His grave can be found in section B, grave 460.
The fire team advanced against heavy artillery, machinegun, and mortar fire. Costin continued the attack by himself after all his comrades had become casualties and he himself had been seriously wounded, firing until he collapsed.
His act resulted in the capture of about 100 prisoners and several machineguns. He succumbed from the effects of his wounds shortly after the accomplishment of his heroic deed.
Private Costin's body was repatriated to the United States and he is buried in his hometown of Baltimore at the Loudon Park National Cemetery, Plot: section B, grave 460.
Citation:
SS Henry Gilbert Costin (Maritime Commission Hull Number 0950, U.S. Merchant Marine Association), built at the Bethlehem Shipyard in Baltimore in 1943, was named for Private Costin and used for troop transport during World War II
.
Also named in honor of PVT Costin is the PVT Henry Costin National Guard Armory at 8601 Odell Road in
Laurel, Maryland as well as the PVT Henry Costin Dining Facility on Omaha Beach Circle at the Camp Fretterd Military Reservation in Reisterstown, Maryland (Maryland Army National Guard).
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
for his actions in World War I near Bois–de–Consenvoye, France during the Meuse–Argonne Offensive.
Biography
Private Costin was born June 15, 1898 in BaltimoreBaltimore
Baltimore is the largest independent city in the United States and the largest city and cultural center of the US state of Maryland. The city is located in central Maryland along the tidal portion of the Patapsco River, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay. Baltimore is sometimes referred to as Baltimore...
, Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
and graduated from the Baltimore City College
Baltimore City College
The Baltimore City College , also referred to as The Castle on the Hill, historically as The College, and most commonly City, is a public high school in Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A. The City College curriculum includes the International Baccalaureate Programme and emphasizes study in the classics...
high school in 1914. After enlisting in the United States Army was sent to France to fight in World War I where he was killed.
He died October 8, 1918 near Bois–de–Consenvoye, France and after his body was returned to the United States was buried in Loudon Park National Cemetery Baltimore, Maryland. His grave can be found in section B, grave 460.
The Mission
Costin's platoon of Company H, 115th Infantry was held up by enemy machinegun fire. Costin was the first to volunteer to charge the machinegun nest as part of an automatic rifle team.The fire team advanced against heavy artillery, machinegun, and mortar fire. Costin continued the attack by himself after all his comrades had become casualties and he himself had been seriously wounded, firing until he collapsed.
His act resulted in the capture of about 100 prisoners and several machineguns. He succumbed from the effects of his wounds shortly after the accomplishment of his heroic deed.
Private Costin's body was repatriated to the United States and he is buried in his hometown of Baltimore at the Loudon Park National Cemetery, Plot: section B, grave 460.
Medal of Honor citation
Rank and organization: Private, U.S. Army, Company H, 115th Infantry, 29th Division. Place and date: Near Bois–de–Consenvoye, France, 8 October 1918. Entered service at: Baltimore, Md. Birth: Baltimore, Md. G.O. No.: 34, W.D., 1919.Citation:
When the advance of his platoon had been held up by machinegun fire and a request was made for an automatic rifle team to charge the nest, Pvt. Costin was the first to volunteer. Advancing with his team, under terrific fire of enemy artillery, machineguns, and trench mortars, he continued after all his comrades had become casualties and he himself had been seriously wounded. He operated his rifle until he collapsed. His act resulted in the capture of about 100 prisoners and several machineguns. He succumbed from the effects of his wounds shortly after the accomplishment of his heroic deed.
Namesake
The Liberty ShipLiberty ship
Liberty ships were cargo ships built in the United States during World War II. Though British in conception, they were adapted by the U.S. as they were cheap and quick to build, and came to symbolize U.S. wartime industrial output. Based on vessels ordered by Britain to replace ships torpedoed by...
SS Henry Gilbert Costin (Maritime Commission Hull Number 0950, U.S. Merchant Marine Association), built at the Bethlehem Shipyard in Baltimore in 1943, was named for Private Costin and used for troop transport during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
Also named in honor of PVT Costin is the PVT Henry Costin National Guard Armory at 8601 Odell Road in
Laurel, Maryland as well as the PVT Henry Costin Dining Facility on Omaha Beach Circle at the Camp Fretterd Military Reservation in Reisterstown, Maryland (Maryland Army National Guard).
See also
- List of Medal of Honor recipients
- List of Medal of Honor recipients for World War I