William Lawrence Barron

1895-1918

Our Willie the inscription on William Barron's grave tells a story all in it's own. One of a young man lost too soon and a family who sacrificed so much to defend the country they loved. 

William and his brother Edward were some of the first young men in Tonawanda to enlist in WW1 in 1917. They were also some of the first Marines to land in France. They were proud American's and ready to defend the nation. 

Both of the Barron brothers spent months in the trenches of France. Together they experienced the horrors of some of the bloodiest battles of the war. They always took the time to write home. One letter tells of the brother's guarding German Prisoners. Through it all they must have been thankful to have each other near. They were wounded around the sam time. Edward lost an arm to enemy fire. William was shot in the shoulder and his lung.  

Both brother's found themselves recovering in the hospital at the same time. They remained strong and looked forward to being reunited with family at home. The first to go back to the states was Edward with William behind him by a few days. 

Their mother who lived in Holley came to the Tonawanda's to greet her returning son and wait for William who they had been told was on the mend and would be returning home soon. Before the celebrations started news came that William had died on a transport ship home. The family was shocked and devastated.

A funeral procession for him started at Wheatfield and Oliver and made it's way to city cemetery. All the flags in the Tonawanda's were at half staff in honor of William.

Later he was awarded some of the military's top honors. This was what was written of his heroism:

War Department, General Orders No. 44 (1919)

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Private William Lawrence Barron (MCSN: 94266), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving with the Sixteenth Company, Fifth Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, A.E.F., in action near Chateau-Thierry, France, 23 June 1918. After making several successful journeys over an area swept by artillery, machine gun, and rifle fire, in his capacity as runner, Private Barron was caught in a heavy barrage and seriously wounded. By a superhuman effort he made his way to his objective, and, after being dragged into safety, insisted on personally delivering his message. He then fell exhausted from loss of blood.

He was awarded to Silver Stars, a Navy Cross, and a Distinguished service cross. 

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.