Colonel GEORGE L. TOWNSEND, United States Army, was attached to the Fifth Marines, Second Division. On the night of November 10th-11th, 1918, Lieutenant Townsend personally supervised the laying of the telephone wires from Beaumont to the first bridge put across the Meuse. He was constantly exposed to the violent fire of the enemy but with no regard for his personal safety pushed ahead with the attacking troops and accomplished his mission.

Col.

Townsend was a 30 year Army veteran with the unusual distinction of having worn the Navy Cross during most of his career. It resulted from his service as a U. S. Army Signal Corps officer attached to the Fifth Marines, Second Division in World War 1. He joined the Legion of Valor in 1962 and resided in Southern California.