Raymond F. Sawyer

       Raymond Forest Sawyer was born in Woodsville, New Hampshire, on September 28, 1892, son of Frank and Ada (Davis) Sawyer. He married Florence L. Ernst, daughter of Abel and Eliza (Morse) Ernst, in Malden, September 28, 1911, and by 1917 they had two children, Leslie and Doris. They lived on 70 Waverly St. in Malden, and Sawyer was employed as a machinist in Boston.

Sawyer enlisted October 26, 1914. He served with Company L, 5th Infantry, at the Mexican Border. He reported for duty during the World War in July, 1917, and was later transferred to Co. L, 101st Inf., 26th Div. He became a Corporal March 12, 1918, and four days later he was wounded slightly in battle. He was promoted to Sergeant on August 17, 1918.

Sergt. Sawyer died October 26, 1918, of wounds he received in action the day before at Belleau Bois.  He was recommended for a Distinguished Service Cross for gallant conduct, Oct. 25, 1918.

By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Corporal Raymond F. Sawyer (ASN: 62271), United States Army, is cited by the Commanding General, American Expeditionary Forces, for gallantry in action and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the Victory Medals awarded him. Corporal Sawyer distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving with Company I, 101st Infantry Regiment, 26th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in action in the Chemin des Dames Sector, France, 17 February 1918, in removing his gas mask during a gas bombardment, in order to be better able to lead his men to a place of safety. (The Hall of Valor Project, Raymond F. Sawyer, accessed 15 Jun 2018)



Boston Daily Globe, April 6, 1918
Corp Sawyer of Malden is Wounded in Action
MALDEN, April 5 - Corp Raymond F. Sawyer of the 101st Infantry, formerly a member of the Malden Rifles, Co L, 5th Regiment, was wounded in action in France, according to word received today from the War Department. No particulars were given.
Corp Sawyer is 25 years old, a son of Mr and Mrs Frank L Sawyer of 70 Waverly st, and saw service at the Mexican border. He has a wife, Mrs. Florence L Sawyer, and two children, Leslie, aged 6, and Doris, aged 1


Boston Evening Globe, Dec. 16, 1918
  Memorial services for Sergt Raymond F Sawyer and private Ernest M. Lowery, who met their deaths in France with the army, were held last evening at St. Paul's Episcopal Church. The rector, Rev. William E. Dowty, spoke of the Grand Army and patriotic organizations were represented.

Clipping from The Boston Post, "Three Greater Boston Men on Wounded List", April 7, 1918, p. 2: