Navy Federal Credit Union

By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Lieutenant (Medical Corps) Robert J. Lawler, United States Naval Reserve, 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. Lieutenant Lawler distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving as a Medical Officer attached to the Fifth Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in action at Blanc Mont Ridge, France, 4 October 1918, in administering first aid and assisting in carrying the wounded to a place of shelter under fire.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant (MC)

    Regiment:

    5th Regiment (Marines)

    Division:

    2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    September 12 – 17, 1918

    GHQ, American Expeditionary Forces, Citation Order 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), Lieutenant (Medical Corps) Robert J. Lawler, United States Naval Reserve, 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. Lieutenant Lawler distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving as a Medical Officer attached to the Fifth Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in action during the St. Mihiel Offensive, France, 12 – 17 September 1918, in supervising the evacuation of the wounded under heavy enemy fire.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant (MC)

    Regiment:

    5th Regiment (Marines)

    Division:

    2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    October 4, 1918

    2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, Citation Order No. 88 (1918)

    By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Lieutenant (MC) Robert J. Lawler, United States Naval Reserve, is cited by the Commanding General, SECOND DIVISION A.E.F., for gallantry in action and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the Victory Medals awarded him. Lieutenant Lawler distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving as a Medical Officer attached to the Fifth Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces. In the operations at St. Mihiel and east of Rheims, France, he displayed zeal and devotion to duty of the highest order. At great personal risk he repeatedly visited all battalion aid stations, supervising and assisting in the evacuation of the wounded; maintained the necessary supply service and kept the regimental commander fully informed of the situation pertaining to the sanitary service. His duties were exceptionally well performed and with absolute disregard of personal safety. On 4 October 1918, at Blanc Mont, France, one officer and several men having been struck by shell fragments, Lieutenant Lawler immediately left the dugout under severe shell fire and personally directed the carrying of the wounded to a place of safety.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant (MC)

    Regiment:

    5th Regiment (Marines)

    Division:

    2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    September 12 – 17, 1918

    2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, Citation Order No. 88 (1918)

    By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Lieutenant (MC) Robert J. Lawler, United States Naval Reserve, is cited by the Commanding General, SECOND DIVISION A.E.F., for gallantry in action and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the Victory Medals awarded him. Lieutenant Lawler distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving as a Medical Officer attached to the Fifth Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in action 12 – 17 September 1918, during the St. Mihiel Offensive, France. Lieutenant Lawler showed extraordinary heroism in establishing and maintaining two advanced aid stations in connection with the advancing battalions. At an early hour on 15 September 1918, under heavy enemy barrage prepatory to count attack, he established his advanced battalion aid station near Jaulny and continued to dress wounded and supervise their evacuation without thought of personal danger, remaining at this exposed point until relieved thirty-six hours later thereby exhibiting exceptional valor.

  • Navy Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant (MC)

    Regiment:

    5th Regiment (Marines)

    Division:

    2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    September 12 – 16 & October 1 – 9, 1918

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant (MC) Robert J. Lawler, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism while serving as Regimental Surgeon, Fifth Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in France in the attack on St. Mihiel, September 12 to 16, 1918; east of Rheims, October 1 to 9, 1918; and in the attack in the Argonne, November 1 to 11, 1918. Upon all of these occasions Lieutenant Lawler displayed courage, zeal and devotion to duty of the highest order, and manifested a total disregard of personal danger, visiting the battalion aid stations under fire, and supervising and assisting in the work of evacuation of the wounded.