Lansing McVickar
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Colonel Lansing McVickar | |
|---|---|
| Born | September 20, 1895 |
| Died | February 24, 1945 (aged 49) |
| Buried | |
| Allegiance |  United States of America |
| Branch | United States Army |
| Service years | 1918 - 1945 |
| Rank | Colonel |
| Service number | O-061537 |
| Unit | 1st Battalion, 7th Field Artillery, 1st Division 44th Infantry Division Headquarters 80th Infantry Division |
| Commands | 156th Field Artillery Regiment 318th Infantry Regiment |
| Conflicts | Mexican Border War
|
| Awards |
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| Alma mater | St. Mark's School Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
| Other work | stockbroker with Henry L. McVikar |
Lansing McVickar (September 20, 1895 – January 14, 1945) was a career officer with the United States Army.[1] He was highly decorated for his service in World War II, World War I, and the Mexican Border War, including receiving a Bronze Star Medal and the Distinguished Service Cross.[2][3]
McVickar was born in New London, Connecticut, the son of Janet Lansing and Henry Goelet McVickar.[3][4] The family also lived in Cambridge, Massachusetts and Suffolk County, New York.[1] His maternal grandfather was Captain A. Breeze Lansing.[4] His paternal grandfather was William Henry McVickar, a former commodore of the New York Yacht Club.[5] His father died in 1919, followed by his mother in 1929.[4]
He attended St. Mark's School, graduating in 1914.[6] Next he attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, graduating in 1918.[3] There, he was a member of the Fraternity of Delta Psi (St. Anthony Hall).[3]
Military career
McVickar joined Battery A of the Massachusetts National Guard and participated in the Mexican Border War.[3] He then began Army training at Plattsburgh Military Base.[3] He served as a second lieutenant in the 7th Field Artillery, 1st Division; he was later promoted to first lieutenant in the Headquarters, 1st Battalion, 1st Division, American Expeditionary Forces.[3][7][8] During World War I, he was severely wounded in August 1918.[9] On October 14, 1918, near Véry, France, he volunteered to take a gun to aid the infantry under "hazardous circumstances."[7][10] He persisted despite the loss of two horses and several wounded men.[7][10] When the group was under a barrage from the enemy, he came out from protective cover five times to move wounded comrades to safety.[10][7] As a result, he received the Distinguished Service Cross "for extraordinary heroism."[7] During World War I, he also received the Purple Heart and the Silver Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, and the Croix de Guerre.[3][5]
Through the National Guard, he reached the rank of colonel.[3] In September 1940, he was named commander of the 156th Field Artillery of the New York National Guard.[11] The 156th was inducted into federal service at that time, with an assignment for Fort Dix in New Jersey.[11] In October 1941, McVickar was assigned to the 44th Division Headquarters.[12]
In 1944, he was in command of the 318th Regiment which spearheaded General George S. Patton's battles in France.[13] In the Battle of Falaise Gap, the 318th played a prominent role. On November 11, 1944, under his leadership, the 318th was one of two regiments that captured Delme Ridge in the Nancy-Metz area.[3][13] As a result, the 318th received a unit citation and he received the Bronze Star in December 1944.[3][13] They received another citation for breaking through the Maginot Line in Saarbrücken, Germany in December 1944.[13] In late December 1944 during the Battle of the Bulge, Patton's 80th division relieved Bastogne, Belgium, spearheaded by the 318th under McVickar.[14] This relieved the 101st Airborne Division which was encircled by the Germans.[13]
In December 1944, the Americans were in continuous action west and southwest of Ettelbruck, Luxembourg.[1] Under the leadership of McVickar, they freed Ettlebruck from Nazi occupation on Christmas Day 1944.[1] A few weeks later, McVickar was shot and killed while on a scouting mission.[1]
Commendations
- Mexican Border Service Medal, Mexican Border War[3]
- Marksmanship Badge[1]
- Croix de Guerre, World War I[2]
- Distinguished Service Cross, World War I[2]
- First Division Fourragère, World War I[3]
- Purple Heart, World War I[2]
- Silver Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, World War I[2]
- World War I Victory Medal, World War I[1]
- American Campaign Medal, World War II[1]
- American Defense Service Medal, World War II[3]
- Army of Occupation of Germany Medal, World War II[3]
- Bronze Star Medal, World War II[2]
- Combat Infantryman Badge, World War II[1]
- Distinguished Unit Citation, World War II[3]
- European–African–Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, World War II[3]
- Presidential Unit Citation, World War II[1]
- World War II Victory Medal with six clasps, World War II[3][1]