Triple Silver Star group, Capt Joseph Laracy, 7th Engineers

Triple Silver Star group to Captain Joseph Laracy, 7th Engineers, 5th Division: Silver Star, with one oak leaf cluster, split brooch, hand-engraved “Joseph Laracy”, numbered “7336″, marked “BB&B/Phila” on the suspension, with ribbon bar and lapel pin; Philippine Campaign Medal, numbered “No.14709″, with ribbon bar (Corporal, Company C, 1st Battalion, Engineers); Mexican Border Service Medal, numbered “4723″ (Captain, 7th Engineers); World War I Victory Medal, clasps “St. Mihiel”, “Meuse-Argonne” and “Defensive Sector”. With a ribbon bar for the campaign medals (3 bronze, 4 silver stars of the Victory Medal ribbon), worn. With copied research and award cards, with newspaper photographs of the bridge across the Meuse River. Plus, a copy of “A Brief History – 7th Engineers”, (hardbound, 152pp, illustrated, with a full roster) which includes Laracy’s citations.

General Orders No. 77 (30 Nov 1918) of the 5th Division cites Captain Joseph Laracy and Captain Harold F. Beyer of the 7th Engineers: “From October 14, 1918, to the conclusion of hostilities the foregoing named officers displayed fearlessness leadership, cheerful endurance of hardships, personal valor and exceptional initiative in supervising work in advanced positions and in making frequent personal reconnaissance in the face of enemy artillery and machine gun fire, Under extremely hazardous conditions at Brieulles, on the night of November 2nd and 3rd, Captain Beyer supervised the construction of platoon foot bridges across the Meuse River. Captain Laracy assumed personal charge of advanced wiring parties and on the night of November 4, 1918, personally supervised the construction of the platoon foot bridge across the Meuse River. By their untiring devotion to duty these officers set valuable example for their men.”

General Orders No. 20 (26 Jun 1919) cites Captain Joseph Laracy, 7th Engineers: For exceptional devotion to duty, energy and initiative. Throughout all advanced operations from October 14th to November 11th, 1918, display devotion to duty and the cause. During the advance he led and directed his men with complete disregard for his own safety, time and time again making personal reconnaissances far into the advanced zone, securing data which facilitated working conditions and inspiring great confidence into the men. By his energy, undaunted courage, leadership, coolness and prudence contributed much to the success of the undertaking. No detail was ever sent forward without he being sent to direct and give word of cheer to the men in the most trying circumstances. His indefatigable efforts were productive of admiration, not only from his entire command, but from men of other units. It was through his direction and good judgment that the bridging of the Meuse River and Canal L’Est was successfully completed, over which the entire 9th Brigade less the reserves passed over at time schedules. This work being carried on in face of intense and incessant machine gun and artillery fire, he standing in waist deep water, not only directing but taking an active part in the constructing. Earlier in the evening he had made a personal survey of the banks of the river and through his exceptional knowledge of engineering, selected an ideal location for the bridging of these streams. The commendation of the enviable record of this company is attributed entirely to his perseverance, judgment and heroic deeds.”

An award card from March 1921 notes “DSC denied. Silver Star previously awarded by CG, AEF”. Laracy received a Pershing gallantry certificate “for distinguished and exceptional gallantry at Dun-sur-Meuse on 4-5 Nov, 1918 in the operations of the American Expeditionary Forces in testimony thereof, and as an expression of appreciation of his valor, I award him this citation” (April 1920). (Location of the certificate is unknown.)

Captain Laracy, who was born in 1882 in Ireland, died in June 1950, having served for 20 years as the harbormaster of Corpus Christi, Texas.