William Alexander McCain

First Distinguished Service Medal citation The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Lieutenant Colonel (Field Artillery) William Alexander McCain, United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility during World War I. As Ordnance Officer of the 5th Army Corps, Colonel McCain displayed superior judgment, exceptional ability, and zealous devotion to duty, and executed successfully the difficult problems of the supply of munitions, thereby contributing materially to the success of the operations of the 5th Army Corps, and rendering important services to the American Expeditionary Forces, in the operations against the enemy during the St. Mihiel and Meuse-Argonne offensives.

Service: United States Army Rank: Lieutenant Colonel (Field Artillery) Division: 5th Army Corps, American Expeditionary Forces Action Date: World War I Orders: War Department, General Orders No. 12 (1929)

Dates of rank Second Lieutenant, 12 June 1902 First Lieutenant, 5 March 1911 Captain, 1 July 1916 Major (National Army), 5 August 1917 Lieutenant Colonel (National Army), 30 July 1918 Colonel (National Army), 6 May 1919 Captain, 30 June 1920 Major, 1 July 1920 Lieutenant Colonel, 18 July 1925 Colonel, 1 June 1934 Brigadier General (Army of the United States), 25 October 1940 Colonel (Retired), 30 June 1942 Brigadier General (Retired), 16 August 1948