Macon C. Overton was an officer in the United States Marine Corps

United States Marine Corps

The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...

 during World War I

World War I

World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...

.

Overton was born in Union Point, Georgia

Union Point, Georgia

Union Point is a city in Greene County, Georgia, United States. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 1,669.-Geography:Union Point is located at ....

. Mortally wounded while guiding a tank against an enemy position at St. George, France

France

The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...

, 1 November 1918, Marine Captain Overton had previously been awarded the Croix de Guerre

Croix de guerre

The Croix de guerre is a military decoration of France. It was first created in 1915 and consists of a square-cross medal on two crossed swords, hanging from a ribbon with various degree pins. The decoration was awarded during World War I, again in World War II, and in other conflicts...

 with silver star and palm for action in the Bois de Belleau

Battle of Belleau Wood

The Battle of Belleau Wood occurred during the German 1918 Spring Offensive in World War I, near the Marne River in France. The battle was fought between the U.S...

 (13 June 1918) and the Distinguished Service Cross

Distinguished Service Cross (United States)

The Distinguished Service Cross is the second highest military decoration that can be awarded to a member of the United States Army, for extreme gallantry and risk of life in actual combat with an armed enemy force. Actions that merit the Distinguished Service Cross must be of such a high degree...

 for action near Mont Blanc

Mont Blanc

Mont Blanc or Monte Bianco , meaning "White Mountain", is the highest mountain in the Alps, Western Europe and the European Union. It rises above sea level and is ranked 11th in the world in topographic prominence...

 (2–10 October 1918).

For his courage and leadership at St. George, he was posthumously awarded an Oak Leaf cluster to his Distinguished Service Cross.

The destroyer USS Overton (DD-239)

USS Overton (DD-239)

USS Overton was a Clemson-class destroyer in the United States Navy during World War II. She was named for Captain Macon C. Overton....

was named for him.