For extraordinary hero-ism on 14 and 15 October 1918, while serving as Commanding Officer, 165th Infantry, 42d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in action at Landreset 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.

For extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 165th Infantry Regiment, 42d Division, A.E.F. near Villers-sur-Fere, France, July 28 – 31, 1918. Colonel Donovan led his battalion across the River Ourcq and captured important enemy strong holds. He was in advance of the division for four days, all the while under shell and machine-gun fire from the enemy, who were on three sides of him, and he was repeatedly and persistently counter-attacked, being wounded twice. Colonel Donovan’s cool-ness and efficient leadership rendered possible the maintenance of this position.

Wild Bill Donovan was born on January 1, 1883 in Buffalo, New York. He died on February 8, 1959 and is buried in the Arlington National Cemetery. He was appoint-ed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to head up the Office of Strategic Services in 1942 and served in that position until the unit was disbanded in 1945 after WWII. The success of his organization lead to the creation of the Central Intelligence Agen-cy in 1947. His nomination in the Legion of Valor is sponsored by our current Nation-al Commander, Richard J. Rinaldo DSC.