William J. Donovan Medal of Honor citation

The President of the United States in the name of The Congress takes pleasure in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR to

LIEUTENANT COLONEL

WILLIAM JOSEPH “WILD BILL” DONOVAN

ARMY

for service as set forth in the following

CITATION:

For The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) William Joseph “Wild Bill” Donovan (ASN: 0-102383), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on 14 and 15 October 1918, while serving as Commanding Officer, 165th Infantry, 42d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in action at Landres-et-St. Georges, France. Lieutenant Colonel Donovan personally led the assaulting wave in an attack upon a very strongly organized position, and when our troops were suffering heavy casualties he encouraged all near him by his example, moving among his men in exposed positions, reorganizing decimated platoons, and accompanying them forward in attacks. When he was wounded in the leg by machine-gun bullets, he refused to be evacuated and continued with his unit until it withdrew to a less exposed position.

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Born Jan. 1, 1883 in Buffalo, N.Y…. Organized and led a troop of cavalry in the New York State Militia that served on the Mexican border during the Pancho Villa campaign… Considered the “Father of American Intelligence” for forming the Office of Strategic Services during World War II, which became the Central Intelligence Agency… Also awarded the Distinguished Service Cross and two Purple Hearts… Departed: Feb. 8, 1959… Buried: Arlington National Cemetery