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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 Captain Lester Sherwood Wass (MCSN: 0-3538), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving with the Fifth Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, A.E.F., in action in Bois-de-Belleau, France, 11 June 1918, and near Vierzy, France, 18 July 1918. In the Bois-de-Belleau, when all the officers of his company had become casualties, Captain Wass displayed marked heroism in leading his men forward in the face of heavy machine-gun fire, assisting in the capture of many machine-guns. Near Vierzy he fearlessly exposed himself to enemy machine-gun and artillery fire, directing personally the reduction of strong points. He was killed at the head of his men, while leading an advance.

Awards Received

  • Navy Cross

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Captain

    Regiment:

    Fifth Regiment (Marines)

    Division:

    2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    June 11 & July 18, 1918

    The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Captain Lester S. Wass (MCSN: 0-3538), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving with the 5th Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, A.E.F. in action in Bois-de-Belleau, France, 11 June 1918, and near Vierzy, France, 18 July 1918. In the Bois-de-Belleau, when all the officers of his company had become casualties, Captain Wass displayed marked heroism in leading his men forward in the face of heavy machine-gun fire, assisting in the capture of many machine-guns. Near Vierzy he fearlessly exposed himself to enemy machine-gun and artillery fire, directing personally the reduction of strong points. He was killed at the head of his men, while leading an advance.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Captain

    Regiment:

    Fifth Regiment (Marines)

    Division:

    2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    July 18 – 22, 1918
    Citation Orders, 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918) Captain Lester S. Wass (MCSN: 0-3538), United States Marine Corps, is cited (Posthumously) by the Commanding General, SECOND Division, American Expeditionary Forces, for gallantry in action and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the Victory Medals awarded him. Captain Wass distinguished himself while serving with the Fifth Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces at Soissons, France, 18 – 22 July 1918. (THIRD Citation)

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Captain

    Regiment:

    Fifth Regiment (Marines)

    Division:

    2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    July 18 – 22, 1918
    Citation Orders, 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918) Captain Lester S. Wass (MCSN: 0-3538), United States Marine Corps, is cited (Posthumously) by the Commanding General, SECOND Division, American Expeditionary Forces, for gallantry in action and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the Victory Medals awarded him. Captain Wass distinguished himself while serving with the Fifth Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces at Soissons, France, 18 – 22 July 1918. (FOURTH Citation)

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Captain

    Regiment:

    Fifth Regiment (Marines)

    Division:

    2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    June 6 – July 10, 1918
    Citation Orders, 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918) Captain Lester S. Wass (MCSN: 0-3538), United States Marine Corps, is cited (Posthumously) by the Commanding General, SECOND Division, American Expeditionary Forces, for gallantry in action and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the Victory Medals awarded him. Captain Wass distinguished himself while serving with the Fifth Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces at Chateau-Thierry, France, 6 June to 10 July 1918. (SECOND Citation)

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Captain

    Regiment:

    Fifth Regiment (Marines)

    Division:

    2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    June 6 – July 10, 1918
    Citation Orders, 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918) Captain Lester S. Wass (MCSN: 0-3538), United States Marine Corps, is cited (Posthumously) by the Commanding General, SECOND Division, American Expeditionary Forces, for gallantry in action and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the Victory Medals awarded him. Captain Wass distinguished himself while serving with the Fifth Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces at Chateau-Thierry, France, 6 June to 10 July 1918.