Lansing McVickar was born on September 20, 1895 in New London, Connecticut. He served in the 318th Infantry Regiment, 80th Infantry Division, as a Colonel during World War II. He was killed in action on January 14, 1945 and is now buried in the Luxembourg American Cemetery, Luxembourg.

From General Patton Memorial Museum Luxembourg facebook page:
McVickar and Jacobs visited the 3rd battalion CP and advanced to inspect the front line. Co I was in position on a very steep hill, and had taken all except the nose of the hill. Not knowing this the two colonels advanced up on the nose of the hill and right onto two Germans in a foxhole. Colonel McVikar was captured before he could turn and get away, however, Colonel Jacobs was able to escape. At the foot of the hill Colonel Jacobs met Captain M. C. Chitwood, who was just returning from the I Co position. The two of them together with Lt. Carlson and a veteran Sgt Blanchard (who had left his Engineer unit to join a frontline unit) returned to the top of the hill in an effort to recapture Colonel McVickar. Lt. Carlson was killed by two Germans. (Thought to be the two who captured Colonel McVikar.)

Colonel L. McVickar and Lt. Col. Paul E. Jacobs started to the Co L position. Colonel McVickar came out of the woods at approximately the crest and started on a trail to the right. Just as he was about to enter another patch of woods, Lt. Col. Jacobs came out of the first patch of woods. At that point Jacobs was fired on and McVikar leaped to one side and threw himself into the woods. Not seeing McVickar, and after studying the terrain, Jacobs retraced his steps and learned that they had entered enemy territory.

A patrol was organized and guided to the scene of action by Colonel Jacobs. At about the same time a platoon was moved out from Co L on the left. This stirred up considerable small arms, machine gun and mortar fire from the Germans. The patrol flanked the position and the Germans who were thought to have fired on McVickar were killed. There had been two Germans in the foxhole, and MccVikar was within two yards of them when he was fired upon. He dropped right beside their foxhole. No sign of blood was found, but his gloves and helmet were there.

Reinforced with a squad of men from Co I, Colonel Jacobs and Chitwood advanced on the position killing the two Germans and killing and running off several others in the area. They found Colonel McVickar's gloves and helmet but the Colonel had already been taken farther to the rear.

Colonel McVikar was found later, some distance from where he was captured. Knowing the Colonel he probably gave the Germans a very hard time. They bayoneted the Colonel after taking him only a short distance from where he was captured.


From homeofheroes.com, Distinguished Service Cross Citation:
MCVICKAR, LANSING
First Lieutenant, U.S. Army
1st Battalion, Headquarters, 7th Field Artillery, 1st Division, A.E.F.
Date of Action: October 4, 1918
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Lansing McVickar, First Lieutenant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near Very, France, October 4, 1918. Lieutenant McVickar volunteered and took forward a gun to the aid of the infantry under most hazardous circumstances. Despite the loss of two horses and the wounding of several of his men, he continued until he encountered an enemy barrage, from which it was necessary to take cover. He exposed himself to the barrages on five different occasions to bring in wounded men.
General Orders No. 44, W.D., 1919
Home Town: Cambridge, MA