Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Bickford
Edward
Sawyer
Jr.
1922-10-17

–

2017-03-05

Born:

Malden

, 

Massachusetts

Home:

Medford

, 

Massachusetts

Buried: 

Arlington

, 

Virginia

Cemetery:

Arlington National Cemetery

Bickford Sawyer graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Class of 1945. He retired in 1975 as a U.S. Army Colonel.

Awards Received

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Colonel (Infantry)

    Action Date:

    1964 – 1967
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Colonel (Infantry) Bickford Edward Sawyer, Jr. (ASN: 0-27689), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States in the Office of the Chief of Information, Department of the Army, from 1964 to 1967. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Sawyer and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Army.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Colonel (Infantry)

    Action Date:

    1967 – 1968
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Colonel (Infantry) Bickford Edward Sawyer, Jr. (ASN: 0-27689), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States with Headquarters, United States Army, Vietnam, from 1967 to 1968. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Sawyer and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Army.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Captain (Infantry), [then First Lieutenant]

    Batallion:

    2d Battalion

    Regiment:

    23d Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    2d Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    September 7 – 9, 1950
    Headquarters, 2d Infantry Division, General Orders No. 19 (January 24, 1951)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Infantry), [then First Lieutenant] Bickford Edward Sawyer, Jr. (ASN: 0-27689), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company H, 23d Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy from 7 September 1950 to 9 September 1950 in the vicinity of Changnyong, Korea. On 7 September 1950 when the forward observer of the 81-mm. platoon was wounded by enemy fire, Captain Sawyer, the mortar platoon leader, voluntarily assumed the duties of forward observer. Under extremely heavy enemy fire, he adjusted mortar fire to the front of the rifle company to which he was attacked. All that night and the next day he remained as forward observer and, under increasingly heavy hostile fire, continued to call for and adjust extremely accurate fire upon the attacking enemy troops. On 9 September 1950, when the rifle company launched an attack, his selection of enemy targets, and the resultant fire which he brought upon them, greatly assisted the company in accomplishing its mission. The gallant conduct of Captain Sawyer on this occasion was a source of inspiration to all who witnessed it and reflects the highest credit upon himself is in keeping with the fine traditions of the military service.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Colonel (Infantry)

    Action Date:

    1968 – 1972
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Legion of Merit to Colonel (Infantry) Bickford Edward Sawyer, Jr. (ASN: 0-27689), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States, culminating at G-1 (Personnel), Strategic Command Pacific, from 1968 to 1972. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Sawyer culminate a long and distinguished career in the service of his country and his dedicated contributions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army.