Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander (MC) Lester L. Pratt, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operating first aid stations in the open in front of Marigny during heavy shell fire on 3 June 1918, and later during the attack on Bois de Belleau, while serving as Surgeon with the Fifth Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, on 11 June 1918. When his aid post and dug-out were demolished, the air laden with gas and he himself nearly blinded by a shrapnel cut on the left eye. In spite of these conditions Lieutenant Commander Pratt refused to leave his post until all the wounded including Germans, had been treated and evacuated. Lieutenant Commander Pratt was also in Command of field hospitals with the Second Division, American Expeditionary Force in France, during active operation on the French Front.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Commander (MC)

    Regiment:

    5th Regiment (Marines)

    Division:

    2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    June 11, 1918
    2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, Citation Order No. 88 (1918)

    By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Lieutenant Commander (MC) Lester L. Pratt, United States Navy, is cited by the Commanding General, SECOND DIVISION A.E.F., for gallantry in action and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the Victory Medals awarded him. Lieutenant Commander Pratt distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving as a Surgeon attached to the Fifth Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in action at Bois de Belleau, France, 11 June 1918. While under severe shell fire of high explosives and gas, Surgeon Pratt attended to and evacuated the wounded under the most harassing circumstances. His aid post was completely destroyed, his dugout wrecked, the surgical dressings destroyed and the air laden with gas fumes which nearly blinded him. Although wounded under the left eye, he refused to leave his post until allt he wounded had been safely evacuated.

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Commander (MC)

    Regiment:

    5th Regiment (Marines)

    Division:

    2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    June 11, 1918
    War Department, General Orders No. 44 (1919)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Lieutenant Commander (MC) Lester Leslie Pratt, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism while serving as Surgeon with the Fifth Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in action in the Bois de Belleau, France, 11 June 1918. Although he had been wounded under the left eye, almost blinded by gas fumes, and his dressing station wrecked by shell fire, Lieutenant Commander Pratt remained at his post working under the most trying conditions until all the wounded had been safely evacuated.