Henry Gilbert Costin

Henry Gilbert Costin (June 15, 1898–October 8, 1918) 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.^[1]

Biography

Private Costin was born June 15, 1898 in Baltimore, Maryland and graduated from the Baltimore City College high school in 1914.^[2] After enlisting in the Army in 1917^[3] 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.^[4]

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.^[5]

Namesake

The Liberty Ship 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).

See also

• List of Medal of Honor recipients
• List of Medal of Honor recipients for World War I

References