William Lawrence Barron 1895 - 1918

On May 4th 1917 William Barron and his brother Edward, were some of the first to leave the Tonawandas to serve the United States in World War 1. He and his brother were in the first group of Marines sent to France. They were assigned to the 16th company 5th regiment of the US Marines attached to the 2nd division. They would both serve in some of the bloodiest battles of the war.

The brothers served many months in the trenches of France, they'd also spent time guarding German Prisoners, they were even wounded together. Edward lost his arm to enemy fire. While he was recovering in a military hospital William would join him. He had a bullet rip through his shoulder and another went through his lung. Both brothers worked toward recovery so they could go home. 

Edward was the first to be sent home to his family with William right on his heels just a few days behind him on a transport ship. Their mother was coming to Tonawanda from Holley to celebrate her son Edward's return. The celebration never began. Just as the family gathered word was sent that William had died aboard the transport ship. The family was shocked as they had been under the impression he was recovering nicely. 

William's funeral was a grand affair. Flags in the Tonawandas were put at half staff. A funeral procession began at the corner of Wheatfield and Olver and made its way to City Cemetery. 

His Heroic Sacrifice was not unnoticed. William was awarded many distinguished medals for his bravery and acts of heroism. 

Medals:

2 Silver Star's

The Silver Star Medal is the United States Armed Forces' third-highest military decoration for valor in combat. The Silver Star Medal is awarded primarily to members of the United States Armed Forces for gallantry in action against an enemy of the United States.

Navy Cross

The Navy Cross is the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard's second-highest award for valor, given for extraordinary heroism in combat against an enemy, surpassing bravery required for lesser medals but not meeting Medal of Honor criteria, recognizing acts of exceptional courage and selflessness in intense danger

Distinguished Service Cross

The Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) is the US Army's second highest military decoration for extraordinary heroism in combat, awarded for acts of valor above and beyond the call of duty but not quite meeting the criteria for the Medal of Honor, often involving risk of life against an armed enemy or in conflict

Croix De Guerre

The Croix de Guerre may be awarded either as an individual award or as a unit award to those soldiers who distinguish themselves by acts of heroism involving combat with the enemy. The medal is awarded to those who have been "mentioned in dispatches", meaning a heroic deed or deeds were performed meriting a citation from an individual's headquarters unit.