Edward R. Lawless

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Edward R. Lawless, Sergeant Major, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near Troesnes, France, July 18, 1918. When it had become necessary to send an urgent message to the battalion base company, Sergeant Major Lawless, though under fire for the first time voluntarily took the message across an open field, a distance of 500 yards. It seemed almost impossible to get through the murderous fire, but, knowing the importance of the message, Sergeant Major Lawless ventured through, rather than take the longer yet safer route. He completed his mission, returning over the same course.