When the advance of his battalion was
checked by a hidden machine-gun nest, he went forward alone, unprotected by covering fire
from his own men, and worked in between the German positions in the face of fire from
enemy covering detachments. Locating the machine -gun nest, he rushed it and with
his bayonet drove off the crew. Shortly after this he organized 25 French colonial
soldiers who had become separated from their company and led them in attacking another
machine-gun nest, which was also put out of action.
extraordinary heroism while serving with the 66th Company, 5th Regiment, 2d Division, in
action in the Viller-Cottertes section, south of Soissons, France, 18 July 1918. When a
hidden machinegun nest halted the advance of his battalion, Sgt. Kocak went forward alone
unprotected by covering fire and worked his way in between the German positions in the
face of heavy enemy fire. Rushing the enemy position with his bayonet, he drove off the
crew. Later the same day, Sgt. Kocak organized French colonial soldiers who had become
separated from their company and led them in an attack on another machinegun nest which
was also put out of action.