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Navy Federal Credit Union
William
Ernest
Sullens
1882-12-12

–

1929-07-05

Born:

Cole County

, 

Missouri

Home:

Springfield

, 

Missouri

Buried: 

Springfield

, 

Missouri

Cemetery:

Greenlawn Memorial Gardens

William Sullens graduated from the Central College of Fayette, Missouri, and was ordained a Methodist Episcopal minister. In 1918 he was pastoring the M. E. Church, South, in Harrisonville, Missouri when he requested permission from his bishop to enlist for military service as a Chaplain. Commissioned as a first lieutenant in the ChaplainÕs Corps, he served in France where he was promoted to captain, and was twice cited for his gallantry in action during World War I.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Chaplain’s Corps)

    Batallion:

    3d Battalion

    Regiment:

    137th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    35th Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    September 29, 1918
    GHQ, American Expeditionary Forces, Citation Orders No. 4 (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), First Lieutenant (Chaplain’s Corps) William Ernest Sullens, 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. Chaplain Sullens distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving with the 3d Battalion, 137th Infantry, American Expeditionary Forces, in action near Baulny, France, 29 September 1918, in searching for the wounded under terrific shell fire.
    (First Citation)

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Chaplain’s Corps)

    Batallion:

    3d Battalion

    Regiment:

    137th 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 Ernest Sullens, 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 Sullens showed exceptional bravery while serving as Chaplain with the 3d Battalion, 137th Infantry Regiment, 35th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in assisting litter bearers in carrying the wounded to the 139th Infantry dressing station through heavy shell fire.
    (Second Citation)