Many Manchesterites are aware of the William M. Jutras Post #43, an American Legion
Photograph of William H. Jutras, courtesy of Stan Garrity, and used with his permission.
Post that has been around since 1919. But not many outside of that organization can tell you much about the man the post is named after. In addition, at the location where the Jutras Post building originally sat (228 McGregor Street), a plaque can be found in McGregor Park in the northwest corner of Amory and McGregor Streets. That plaque reads: “LT. WILLIAM H. JUTRAS. CO. A 103rd INF. 26th. DIV. KILLED IN ACTION SEPT 26 1918 AT RIAVILLE. FRANCE. AGE 26.
Perhaps the best way to know, is to read the the original commendation, that describes his heroic action for which he was awarded (posthumously) the Distinguished Service Cross:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant (Infantry) William M. Jutras, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 103d Infantry Regiment, 26th Division, A.E.F., near Riaville, France, 26 September 1918. When the platoon on the right flank of his company was threatened by an enfilading movement of enemy machine guns, Lieutenant Jutras carried a message to the commander of that platoon through deadly machine gun and minenwerfer bombardment. It then being necessary to establish liaison with the company on the right in order to save this platoon from annihilation, and knowing that he faced almost certain death, this gallant officer unhesitatingly volunteered for this mission and crossed a terrain swept by converging machine gun fire. Mortally wounded, he delivered his message in time to save his platoon.
General Orders: War Department, General Orders No. 142 (1918)
Action Date: 26-Sep-18
Service: Army
Rank: First Lieutenant
Regiment: 103d Infantry Regiment
Division: 26th Division, American Expeditionary Forces [Co. A]
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