William G. Lawrence

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to William G. Lawrence, Chief Boatswain’s Mate, U.S. Coast Guard (Reserve), for gallantry in action while attached to the U.S.S. SAMUEL CHASE (APA-26) during the amphibious invasion of the Island of Sicily on 10 July 1943, and of the Italian mainland on 9 September 1943. Operating a specially fitted landing boat which had been converted for salvage and rescue work, Chief Boatswain’s Mate Lawrence in the face of constant enemy aerial attack and intense artillery fire effected the salvage of approximate one hundred broached and stranded craft immediately after the initial assault near Gela, Sicily. Later under similar perilous conditions he returned to service a large number of disabled craft after the assaults on the beaches in the Gulf of Salerno. His valuable services contributed materially to the effective support of the invasion forces during two major amphibious operations.