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By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Second Lieutenant (Infantry) Oliver P. Byam, United States Army, is cited (Posthumously) by the Commanding General, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the World War I Victory Medals awarded him. While serving with the 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, on 16 October 1918, while under heavy artillery and machine gun barrage on Cunel Height, France, Lieutenant Byam moved his platoon one hundred meters in advance of our front line and took up his position there, opening fire on the enemy who were then holding up our advance. Lieutenant Byam showed extraordinary heroism and self sacrifice in holding this position against several enemy patrol attacks. He was killed by machine gun fire while leading a patrol to the enemy’s line. [A Distinguished Service Cross was awarded for this action.]

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Second Lieutenant (Infantry)

    Regiment:

    7th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    October 11, 1918
    War Department, General Orders 89 (1919)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Second Lieutenant (Infantry) Oliver P. Byam, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Cunel Heights, France, 11 October 1918. Upon his own initiative Lieutenant Byam moved his machine-gun platoon through heavy artillery and machine-gun fire 400 meters in advance of the front line and from there opened fire on the enemy, who was holding up our advance, displaying exceptional bravery in holding this position against several hostile attacks. This officer was later killed by machine-gun fire while leading a patrol to the enemy’s line.