Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
William
Lawrence
Hart
1865-06-21

–

1953-01-06

Born:

Newcastle-on-Tyne

, 

England

Home:

St. Paul

, 

Minnesota

Buried: 

Mendota Heights

, 

Minnesota

Cemetery:

Resurrection Cemetery

Born in England, William Hart received his early education in schools in England, Bermuda, and at Saint Michael’s College in Toronto, Canada. He received his theological training at Grand Seminary, Montreal, and was ordained a Jesuit priest in December 1896. He emigrated to the United States and became an American citizen on January 14, 1903. He served as pastor of Saint Mark’s Catholic Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, before entering military service in November 1919. He first served as a Knights of Columbus chaplain at Camp Funston, Kansas, and then served as a U.S. Army chaplain in France from June 1918 to March 1919.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Chaplain’s Corps)

    Regiment:

    104th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    35th Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    World War I
    Headquarters, 35th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, Citation Orders No. 100 (November 15, 1918)

    By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), First Lieutenant (Chaplain’s Corps) William Lawrence Hart, United States Army, is cited by the Commanding General, 35th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, for gallantry in action and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the Victory Medals awarded him. Chaplain Hart distinguished himself while serving as Chaplain with the 104th Infantry Regiment, 35th Division, American Expeditionary Forces. He not only rendered spiritual aid to the wounded, but gathered stragglers together, and by word and example, without regard for his personal safety, encouraged them to action.