Alex MacWilliam Sr

Alexander "Mac" MacWilliam was one of the men of the 313th Machine Gun Battalion for which the title of the book Good War, Great Men was intended to honor. MacWilliam was the highest decorated member of this machine gun battalion and his contributions as a public servant continued for many years off the battlefield. His legacy continues to this day being remembered annually by the people of Florida. 

Alexander Duncan MacWilliam Sr. was born in Huntly, Scotland. His family immigrated to Cleveland, Ohio.  He arrived in the United States at the age of 16 with his parents in 1908, sailing aboard the S.S. Furnessia. He was living in Erie, Pennsylvania, working in trucking, when drafted into the Army. He was inducted into the Army on September 18, 1917, and assigned to the 80th Division, 313th Machine Gun Battalion, Company B.

 His service with the 313th MGB would find him in the following battle engagements:
Somme Defensive (German Spring Offensive), France
Battle of Saint-Mihiel (St. Mihiel, Saint-Mihiel salient), France
Meuse-Argonne Offensive (Battle of the Argonne Forest), France

It was on October 4, 1918, that he was wounded while coming to the aid of another soldier. For his actions, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. The citation reads, "The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to First Sergeant Alexander MacWilliam (ASN: 1815486), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company B, 313th Machine-Gun Battalion, 80th Division, A.E.F., near Nantillois, France, October 4 - 5, 1918. Concealing the fact that he was severely wounded, Sergeant MacWilliam remained on duty until the afternoon of the following day. While in this condition he went to the aid of a wounded comrade and brought him to a place of safety, his route being subjected to a concentrated artillery bombardment." 

General Orders: War Department, General Orders No. 35 (1919), Action Date: October 4, 1918, Service: Army, Rank: First Sergeant, Company B, 313th Machine Gun Battalion, 80th Division, American Expeditionary Forces.

After the war, his service to his community and country continued.  His terms of service as Mayor of Vero Beach, Florida were from 1927 to 1935, from 1939 to 1947, and from 1949 to 1951. He also served as a State Representative in the Florida House for the Democratic party representing Indian River County in the years 1933-1935, and from 1945-1953.

The Indian River Golf Foundation awards the "Alex MacWilliam Sr. Trophy" annually in honor of this long-time resident of Vero Beach, "icon of community service," former Mayor, State Representative, and golf enthusiast who served as the Property Manager at Riomar Country Club during its early years. 

Just a few of the many contributions to highlight his legendy status as a public servant include serving as the first president of the mosquito control board, sponsoring legislation to create a veteran’s home and hospital following World War II,  supporting the construction of State Route 60, assisting in the building of the Stephen Foster Memorial in White Springs, and his instrumental work in establishing Memorial Island Sanctuary to honor Indian River County’s dead war veterans.  These contributions were recognized when Alexander MacWilliam was named one of the Great Floridians in 2000, a program to "recognize individuals who distinguished themselves through philanthropy, public service or personal or professional service, and have enhanced the lives of Florida's citizens."