William L. Lessard

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to William L. Lessard (35565564), Private First Class, U.S. Army, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as a Medical Aidman with the 24th Infantry Division at Pastrana, Leyte, Philippine Islands, on 27 October 1944. With complete disregard for his own personal safety, Private Lessard, on three different occasions, advanced under heavy enemy machine gun and sniper fire to administer aid to the wounded. The acts required him to crawl for distances up to sixty yards under heavy enemy fire in order to reach the wounded men. Private Lessard’s courageous conduct in the performance of his duties while risking his own life reflects the highest credit upon himself and the military service.