Silvester W. Lucas

Sylvester “Bill” Lucas was born in Marion, Ohio, and answered the call to service during the Second World War. He served as a Sergeant in the Military Police Platoon, 1st Squad, attached to Headquarters of the 99th Infantry Division.

As a MP, Sgt. Lucas was entrusted with maintaining order, discipline, and security under combat conditions—responsibilities essential to the functioning of the division during active operations in Europe. His service included deployment to the European Theater of Operations in November 1944.

On January 8, 1944, Sgt. Lucas was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious operations against the enemy in November and December 1944, in Belgium and Germany. As a non-commissioned officer in charge of prisoners of war, his accomplishments were cited as exceptionally meritorious. Despite intense and continuous enemy fire, Sgt. Lucas displayed initiative, discipline, and leadership, ensuring effective operations under difficult and dangerous conditions.

During this period, he supervised multiple military police cages while maintaining high standards of efficiency and control an essential but often unseen aspect of wartime operations.

After the war, Sgt. Lucas returned to civilian life in Ohio. He continued his career in public service, becoming an Ohio State Highway Patrol officer, later retiring in 1969. He subsequently served as Chief of Security at Columbus Technical Institute. A veteran of World War II, he remained active in his community as a member of the Grove City United Methodist Church, serving on its board of trustees.