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 Sergeant William Lemieux (ASN: 554737), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company A, 9th Machine-Gun Battalion, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, at Mezy, France, 15 July 1918. Though the two infantry platoons to which he was attached had been reduced to but fifteen men, Sergeant Lemieux stuck to his position with his two guns; and, in order to obtain a better field of fire, placed them on top of a railroad embankment in plain view of the enemy, under intense machine-gun and shell fire. From here he maintained a deadly fire upon enemy boats crossing the Marne River sinking several, killing the occupants of others, and forcing several to turn back. He also wiped our several enemy platoons which were preparing to cross the River. His guns were twice buried by bursting shells, but each time he calmly cleared the guns and immediately resumed firing. His gallant stand contributed materially to the successful defense of the sector.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
SergeantBatallion:
9th Machine-Gun BattalionDivision:
3d Division, American Expeditionary ForcesAction Date:
July 14 – 15, 1918
Headquarters, 3d Division, A.E.F., Citation Orders No. 22 (July 8, 1919)By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Headquarters, 3d Division, A.E.F., Citation Orders No. 22 (July 8, 1919) United States Army, is cited 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 Company A, 9th Machine Gun Battalion, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, Sergeant Lemieux, while in command of two guns, displayed the utmost gallantry and devotion to duty in action on the R.R. line of defense near Mezy, France, on the morning of 15 July 1918. After all but fifteen infantrymen of two platoons had been killed or wounded, Sergeant Lemieux stuck to his position and fought his guns. Finding that the high wheat in the field in front of him interfered with his fire, he placed his guns on top of the R.R. embankment and in plain view of the enemy he opened up such a murderous fire that he either killed or forced all the enemy on his front to surrender. Sergeant Lemieux then turned his fire on the enemy boats crossing the Marne and succeeded in sinking several, killing the occupants of others and forcing the enemy to jump overboard and swim back to the north bank. [A Distinguished Service Cross was awarded for this action.]
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Silver Star
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
SergeantBatallion:
9th Machine-Gun BattalionDivision:
3d Division, American Expeditionary ForcesAction Date:
July 14 – 15, 1918
GHQ, American Expeditionary Forces, Citation Orders No. 3 (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 William Lemieux (ASN: 554737), 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 Lemieux distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving with Company A, 9th Machine-Gun Battalion, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in action near Mezy, France, 14 – 15 July 1918, and by his brilliant leadership. [A Distinguished Service Cross was awarded for this action.]