William Lemieux

By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Sergeant William Lemieux (ASN: 554737), 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. Sergeant Lemieux distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving with Company A, 9th Machine-Gun Battalion, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in action near Mezy, France, 14 – 15 July 1918, and by his brilliant leadership.

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to William Lemieux, Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action at Mezy, France, July 15, 1918. Though the two infantry platoons to which he was attached had been reduced to but fifteen men, Sergeant Lemieux stuck to his position with his two guns; and, in order to obtain a better field of fire, placed them on top of a railroad embankment in plain view of the enemy, under intense machine-gun and shell fire. From here he maintained a deadly fire upon enemy boats crossing the Marne River sinking several, killing the occupants of others, and forcing several to turn back. He also wiped our several enemy platoons which were preparing to cross the River. His guns were twice buried by bursting shells, but each time he calmly cleared the guns and immediately resumed firing. His gallant stand contributed materially to the successful defense of the sector.