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Navy Federal Credit Union

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 Sergeant Laurence Washburn Gay (ASN: 132999), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Headquarters Company, 101st Field Artillery, 26th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, north of Verdun, France, 23 October 1918. As a sergeant in charge of an artillery observation post and rocket relay station during an intensive bombardment of gas shells, after a direct hit had been made on his observatory Sergeant Gay evacuated all his men, but he, himself, though badly gassed, continued for 6 hours and until relieved to observe the enemy’s fire and relay calls for barrages. He died shortly after being evacuated thus sacrificing his life to save the men under his command, his extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty under a continuous bombardment of high explosives being a great inspiration to the men of his regiment.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Sergeant

    Regiment:

    101st Field Artillery Regiment

    Division:

    26th Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    July 20, 1918
    GHQ, American Expeditionary Forces, Citation Orders No. 2 (June 3, 1919)

    By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Sergeant Lawrence W. Gay (ASN: 132999), United States Army, is cited by the Commanding General, American Expeditionary Forces, for gallantry in action and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the Victory Medals awarded him. Sergeant Gay distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving with Headquarters Company, 101st Field Artillery Regiment, 26th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in action near the Paris-Metz highway, 20 July 1918.