World War II Medal of Honor Recipients (A-E)
ADAMS, LUCIAN
- Rank and organization: Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, 30th Infantry, 3d Infantry Division.
- Place and date: Near St. Die, France, 28 October 1944.
- Entered service at: Port Arthur, Tex.
- Birth: Port Arthur, Tex.
- G.O. No.: 20, 29 March 1945.
- Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity
at risk of life above and beyond the call of duty on 28 October 1944, near
St. Die, France. When his company was stopped in its effort to drive through
the Mortagne Forest to reopen the supply line to the isolated third battalion,
S/Sgt. Adams braved the concentrated fire of machineguns in a lone assault
on a force of German troops. Although his company had progressed less than
10 yards and had lost 3 killed and 6 wounded, S/Sgt. Adams charged forward
dodging from tree to tree firing a borrowed BAR from the hip. Despite intense
machinegun fire which the enemy directed at him and rifle grenades which
struck the trees over his head showering him with broken twigs and branches,
S/Sgt. Adams made his way to within 10 yards of the closest machinegun
and killed the gunner with a hand grenade. An enemy soldier threw hand
grenades at him from a position only 10 yards distant; however, S/Sgt.
Adams dispatched him with a single burst of BAR fire. Charging into the
vortex of the enemy fire, he killed another machinegunner at 15 yards range
with a hand grenade and forced the surrender of 2 supporting infantrymen.
Although the remainder of the German group concentrated the full force
of its automatic weapons fire in a desperate effort to knock him out, he
proceeded through the woods to find and exterminate 5 more of the enemy.
Finally, when the third German machinegun opened up on him at a range of
20 yards, S/Sgt. Adams killed the gunner with BAR fire. In the course of
the action, he personally killed 9 Germans, eliminated 3 enemy machineguns,
vanquished a specialized force which was armed with automatic weapons and
grenade launchers, cleared the woods of hostile elements, and reopened
the severed supply lines to the assault companies of his battalion.
*AGERHOLM, HAROLD CHRIST
- Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, 4th Battalion, 10th Marines, 2d Marine Division.
- Born: 29 January 1925, Racine, Wis.
- Accredited to: Wisconsin.
- Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above
and beyond the call of duty while serving with the 4th Battalion, 10th Marines, 2d Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on
Saipan, Marianas Islands, 7 July 1944. When the enemy launched a fierce,
determined counterattack against our positions and overran a neighboring
artillery battalion, Pfc. Agerholm immediately volunteered to assist in
the efforts to check the hostile attack and evacuate our wounded. Locating
and appropriating an abandoned ambulance jeep, he repeatedly made extremely
perilous trips under heavy rifle and mortar fire and single-handedly loaded
and evacuated approximately 45 casualties, working tirelessly and with
utter disregard for his own safety during a grueling period of more than
3 hours. Despite intense, persistent enemy fire, he ran out to aid 2 men
whom he believed to be wounded marines but was himself mortally wounded
by a Japanese sniper while carrying out his hazardous mission. Pfc. Agerholm's
brilliant initiative, great personal valor and self-sacrificing efforts
in the face of almost certain death reflect the highest credit upon himself
and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
ANDERSON, BEAUFORT T.
- Rank and organization: Technical Sergeant, U.S. Army, 381st Infantry, 96th Infantry Division.
- Place and date: Okinawa, 13 April 1945.
- Entered service at: Soldiers Grove, Wis.
- Birth: Eagle, Wis.
- G.O. No.: 63, 27 June 1946.
- Citation: He displayed conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above
and beyond the call of duty. When a powerfully conducted predawn Japanese
counterattack struck his unit's flank, he ordered his men to take cover
in an old tomb, and then, armed only with a carbine, faced the onslaught
alone. After emptying 1 magazine at pointblank range into the screaming
attackers, he seized an enemy mortar dud and threw it back among the charging
Japs, killing several as it burst. Securing a box of mortar shells, he
extracted the safety pins, banged the bases upon a rock to arm them and
proceeded alternately to hurl shells and fire his piece among the fanatical
foe, finally forcing them to withdraw. Despite the protests of his comrades,
and bleeding profusely from a severe shrapnel wound, he made his way to
his company commander to report the action. T/Sgt. Anderson's intrepid
conduct in the face of overwhelming odds accounted for 25 enemy killed
and several machineguns and knee mortars destroyed, thus single-handedly
removing a serious threat to the company's flank.
*ANDERSON, RICHARD BEATTY
- Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps, 4th Marine Division.
- Born: 26 June 1921, Tacoma, Wash.
- Accredited to: Washington.
- Citation: For conspicuous
gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the
call of duty while serving with the 4th Marine Division during action against
enemy Japanese forces on Roi Island, Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands,
1 February 1944. Entering a shell crater occupied by 3 other marines, Pfc.
Anderson was preparing to throw a grenade at an enemy position when it
slipped from his hands and rolled toward the men at the bottom of the hole.
With insufficient time to retrieve the armed weapon and throw it, Pfc.
Anderson fearlessly chose to sacrifice himself and save his companions
by hurling his body upon the grenade and taking the full impact of the
explosion. His personal valor and exceptional spirit of loyalty in the
face of almost certain death were in keeping with the highest traditions
of the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
*ANTOLAK, SYLVESTER
- Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company B, 15th Infantry, 3d Infantry Division.
- Place and date: Near Cisterna di Littoria, Italy, 24 May 1944.
- Entered service at: St. Clairsville, Ohio.
- Birth: St. Clairsville, Ohio.
- G.O. No.: 89, 19 October 1945.
- Citation: Near Cisterna di Littoria,
Italy, he charged 200 yards over flat, coverless terrain to destroy an
enemy machinegun nest during the second day of the offensive which broke
through the German cordon of steel around the Anzio beachhead. Fully 30
yards in advance of his squad, he ran into withering enemy machinegun,
machine-pistol and rifle fire. Three times he was struck by bullets and
knocked to the ground, but each time he struggled to his feet to continue
his relentless advance. With one shoulder deeply gashed and his right arm
shattered, he continued to rush directly into the enemy fire concentration
with his submachinegun wedged under his uninjured arm until within 15 yards
of the enemy strong point, where he opened fire at deadly close range,
killing 2 Germans and forcing the remaining 10 to surrender. He reorganized
his men and, refusing to seek medical attention so badly needed, chose
to lead the way toward another strong point 100 yards distant. Utterly
disregarding the hail of bullets concentrated upon him, he had stormed
ahead nearly three-fourths of the space between strong points when he was
instantly killed by hostile enemy fire. Inspired by his example, his squad
went on to overwhelm the enemy troops. By his supreme sacrifice, superb
fighting courage, and heroic devotion to the attack, Sgt. Antolak was directly
responsible for eliminating 20 Germans, capturing an enemy machinegun,
and clearing the path for his company to advance.
ANTRIM, RICHARD NOTT
- Rank and organization: Commander, U.S. Navy.
- Place and date: Makassar, Celebes, Netherlands East Indies, April 1942.
- Entered service at: Indiana.
- Born: 17 December 1907, Peru, Ind.
- Citation: For conspicuous gallantry
and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty
while interned as a prisoner of war of the enemy Japanese in the city of
Makassar, Celebes, Netherlands East Indies, in April 1942. Acting instantly
on behalf of a naval officer who was subjected to a vicious clubbing by
a frenzied Japanese guard venting his insane wrath upon the helpless prisoner,
Comdr. (then Lt.) Antrim boldly intervened, attempting to quiet the guard
and finally persuading him to discuss the charges against the officer.
With the entire Japanese force assembled and making extraordinary preparations
for the threatened beating, and with the tension heightened by 2,700 Allied
prisoners rapidly closing in, Comdr. Antrim courageously appealed to the
fanatic enemy, risking his own life in a desperate effort to mitigate the
punishment. When the other had been beaten unconscious by 15 blows of a
hawser and was repeatedly kicked by 3 soldiers to a point beyond which
he could not survive, Comdr. Antrim gallantly stepped forward and indicated
to the perplexed guards that he would take the remainder of the punishment,
throwing the Japanese completely off balance in their amazement and eliciting
a roar of acclaim from the suddenly inspired Allied prisoners. By his fearless
leadership and valiant concern for the welfare of another, he not only
saved the life of a fellow officer and stunned the Japanese into sparing
his own life but also brought about a new respect for American officers
and men and a great improvement in camp living conditions. His heroic conduct
throughout reflects the highest credit upon Comdr. Antrim and the U.S.
Naval Service.
ATKINS, THOMAS E.
- Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, Company A, 127th Infantry, 32d Infantry Division.
- Place and date: Villa Verde Trail, Luzon, Philippine Islands, 10 March 1945.
- Entered service at: Campobello, S.C.
- Birth: Campobello, S.C.
- G.O. No.: 95, 30 October 1945.
- Citation: He fought
gallantly on the Villa Verde Trail, Luzon, Philippine Islands. With 2 companions
he occupied a position on a ridge outside the perimeter defense established
by the 1st Platoon on a high hill. At about 3 a.m., 2 companies of Japanese
attacked with rifle and machinegun fire, grenades, TNT charges, and land
mines, severely wounding Pfc. Atkins and killing his 2 companions. Despite
the intense hostile fire and pain from his deep wound, he held his ground
and returned heavy fire. After the attack was repulsed, he remained in
his precarious position to repel any subsequent assaults instead of returning
to the American lines for medical treatment. An enemy machinegun, set up
within 20 yards of his foxhole, vainly attempted to drive him off or silence
his gun. The Japanese repeatedly made fierce attacks, but for 4 hours,
Pfc. Atkins determinedly remained in his fox hole, bearing the brunt of
each assault and maintaining steady and accurate fire until each charge
was repulsed. At 7 a.m., 13 enemy dead lay in front of his position; he
had fired 400 rounds, all he and his 2 dead companions possessed, and had
used 3 rifles until each had jammed too badly for further operation. He
withdrew during a lull to secure a rifle and more ammunition, and was persuaded
to remain for medical treatment. While waiting, he saw a Japanese within
the perimeter and, seizing a nearby rifle, killed him. A few minutes later,
while lying on a litter, he discovered an enemy group moving up behind
the platoon's lines. Despite his severe wound, he sat up, delivered heavy
rifle fire against the group and forced them to withdraw. Pfc. Atkins'
superb bravery and his fearless determination to hold his post against
the main force of repeated enemy attacks, even though painfully wounded,
were major factors in enabling his comrades to maintain their lines against
a numerically superior enemy force.
*BAILEY, KENNETH D.
- Rank and organization: Major, U.S. Marine Corps, Company C, 1st Marine Raider Battalion.
- Born: 21 October 1910, Pawnee, Okla.
- Appointed from: Illinois.
- Other Navy awards: Silver Star Medal.
- Citation: For extraordinary courage and heroic conduct above and
beyond the call of duty as Commanding Officer of Company C, 1st Marine
Raider Battalion, during the enemy Japanese attack on Henderson Field,
Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on 12-13 September 1942. Completely reorganized
following the severe engagement of the night before, Maj. Bailey's company,
within an hour after taking its assigned position as reserve battalion
between the main line and the coveted airport, was threatened on the right
flank by the penetration of the enemy into a gap in the main line. In addition
to repulsing this threat, while steadily improving his own desperately
held position, he used every weapon at his command to cover the forced
withdrawal of the main line before a hammering assault by superior enemy
forces. After rendering invaluable service to the battalion commander in
stemming the retreat, reorganizing the troops and extending the reverse
position to the left, Maj. Bailey, despite a severe head wound, repeatedly
led his troops in fierce hand-to-hand combat for a period of 10 hours.
His great personal valor while exposed to constant and merciless enemy
fire, and his indomitable fighting spirit inspired his troops to heights
of heroic endeavor which enabled them to repulse the enemy and hold Henderson
Field. He gallantly gave his life in the service of his country.
*BAKER, ADDISON E. (Air Mission)
- Rank and organization: Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army Air Corps, 93d Heavy Bombardment Group.
- Place and date: Ploesti Raid, Rumania, 1 August 1943.
- Entered service at: Akron, Ohio.
- Born: 1 January 1907, Chicago, Ill.
- G.O. No.: 20, 11 March 1944.
- Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity
above and beyond the call of duty in action with the enemy on 1 August
1943. On this date he led his command, the 93d Heavy Bombardment Group,
on a daring low-level attack against enemy oil refineries and installations
at Ploesti, Rumania. Approaching the target, his aircraft was hit by a
large caliber antiaircraft shell, seriously damaged and set on fire. Ignoring
the fact he was flying over terrain suitable for safe landing, he refused
to jeopardize the mission by breaking up the lead formation and continued
unswervingly to lead his group to the target upon which he dropped his
bombs with devastating effect. Only then did he leave formation, but his
valiant attempts to gain sufficient altitude for the crew to escape by
parachute were unavailing and his aircraft crashed in flames after his
successful efforts to avoid other planes in formation. By extraordinary
flying skill, gallant leadership and intrepidity, Lt. Col. Baker rendered
outstanding, distinguished, and valorous service to our Nation.
*BAKER, THOMAS A.
- Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company A, 105th Infantry, 27th Infantry Division.
- Place and date: Saipan, Mariana Islands, 19 June to 7 July 1944.
- Entered service at: Troy, N.Y.
- Birth: Troy, N.Y.
- G.O. No.: 35, 9 May 1945.
- Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at
the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty at Saipan, Mariana
Islands, 19 June to 7 July 1944. When his entire company was held up by
fire from automatic weapons and small-arms fire from strongly fortified
enemy positions that commanded the view of the company, Sgt. (then Pvt.)
Baker voluntarily took a bazooka and dashed alone to within 100 yards of
the enemy. Through heavy rifle and machinegun fire that was directed at
him by the enemy, he knocked out the strong point, enabling his company
to assault the ridge. Some days later while his company advanced across
the open field flanked with obstructions and places of concealment for
the enemy, Sgt. Baker again voluntarily took up a position in the rear
to protect the company against surprise attack and came upon 2 heavily
fortified enemy pockets manned by 2 officers and 10 enlisted men which
had been bypassed. Without regard for such superior numbers, he unhesitatingly
attacked and killed all of them. Five hundred yards farther, he discovered
6 men of the enemy who had concealed themselves behind our lines and destroyed
all of them. On 7 July 1944, the perimeter of which Sgt. Baker was a part
was attacked from 3 sides by from 3,000 to 5,000 Japanese. During the early
stages of this attack, Sgt. Baker was seriously wounded but he insisted
on remaining in the line and fired at the enemy at ranges sometimes as
close as 5 yards until his ammunition ran out. Without ammunition and with
his own weapon battered to uselessness from hand-to-hand combat, he was
carried about 50 yards to the rear by a comrade, who was then himself wounded.
At this point Sgt. Baker refused to be moved any farther stating that he
preferred to be left to die rather than risk the lives of any more of his
friends. A short time later, at his request, he was placed in a sitting
position against a small tree . Another comrade, withdrawing, offered assistance.
Sgt. Baker refused, insisting that he be left alone and be given a soldier's
pistol with its remaining 8 rounds of ammunition. When last seen alive,
Sgt. Baker was propped against a tree, pistol in hand, calmly facing the
foe. Later Sgt. Baker's body was found in the same position, gun empty,
with 8 Japanese lying dead before him. His deeds were in keeping with the
highest traditions of the U.S. Army.
BARFOOT, VAN T.
- Rank and organization: Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army, 157th Infantry, 45th Infantry Division.
- Place and date: Near Carano, Italy, 23 May 1944.
- Entered service at: Carthage, Miss.
- Birth: Edinburg, Miss.
- G.O. No.: 79, 4 October 1944.
- Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at
the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty on 23 May 1944, near
Carano, Italy. With his platoon heavily engaged during an assault against
forces well entrenched on commanding ground, 2d Lt. Barfoot (then Tech.
Sgt.) moved off alone upon the enemy left flank. He crawled to the proximity
of 1 machinegun nest and made a direct hit on it with a hand grenade, killing
2 and wounding 3 Germans. He continued along the German defense line to
another machinegun emplacement, and with his tommygun killed 2 and captured
3 soldiers. Members of another enemy machinegun crew then abandoned their
position and gave themselves up to Sgt. Barfoot. Leaving the prisoners
for his support squad to pick up, he proceeded to mop up positions in the
immediate area, capturing more prisoners and bringing his total count to
17. Later that day, after he had reorganized his men and consolidated the
newly captured ground, the enemy launched a fierce armored counterattack
directly at his platoon positions. Securing a bazooka, Sgt. Barfoot took
up an exposed position directly in front of 3 advancing Mark VI tanks.
From a distance of 75 yards his first shot destroyed the track of the leading
tank, effectively disabling it, while the other 2 changed direction toward
the flank. As the crew of the disabled tank dismounted, Sgt. Barfoot killed
3 of them with his tommygun. He continued onward into enemy terrain and
destroyed a recently abandoned German fieldpiece with a demolition charge
placed in the breech. While returning to his platoon position, Sgt. Barfoot,
though greatly fatigued by his Herculean efforts, assisted 2 of his seriously
wounded men 1,700 yards to a position of safety. Sgt. Barfoot's extraordinary
heroism, demonstration of magnificent valor, and aggressive determination
in the face of pointblank fire are a perpetual inspiration to his fellow
soldiers.
BARRETT, CARLTON W.
- Rank and organization: Private, U.S. Army, 18th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division.
- Place and date: Near St. Laurent-sur-Mer, France, 6 June 1944.
- Entered service at: Albany, N.Y.
- Birth: Fulton, N.Y.
- G.O. No.: 78, 2 October 1944.
- Citation: For gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above
and beyond the call of duty on 6 June 1944, in the vicinity of St. Laurent-sur-Mer,
France. On the morning of D-day Pvt. Barrett, landing in the face of extremely
heavy enemy fire, was forced to wade ashore through neck-deep water. Disregarding
the personal danger, he returned to the surf again and again to assist
his floundering comrades and save them from drowning. Refusing to remain
pinned down by the intense barrage of small-arms and mortar fire poured
at the landing points, Pvt. Barrett, working with fierce determination,
saved many lives by carrying casualties to an evacuation boat Iying offshore.
In addition to his assigned mission as guide, he carried dispatches the
length of the fire-swept beach; he assisted the wounded; he calmed the
shocked; he arose as a leader in the stress of the occasion. His coolness
and his dauntless daring courage while constantly risking his life during
a period of many hours had an inestimable effect on his comrades and is
in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Army.
BASILONE, JOHN
- Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division.
- Place and date: Lunga Area. Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, 24-25 October 1942.
- Born: 4 November 1916, Buffalo, N.Y.
- Accredited to: New Jersey.
- Other Navy award: Navy Cross.
- Citation: For extraordinary heroism and conspicuous gallantry in action
against enemy Japanese forces, above and beyond the call of duty, while
serving with the 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division in the
Lunga Area. Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on 24 and 25 October 1942. While
the enemy was hammering at the Marines' defensive positions, Sgt. Basilone,
in charge of 2 sections of heavy machineguns, fought valiantly to check
the savage and determined assault. In a fierce frontal attack with the
Japanese blasting his guns with grenades and mortar fire, one of Sgt. Basilone's
sections, with its guncrews, was put out of action, leaving only 2 men
able to carry on. Moving an extra gun into position, he placed it in action,
then, under continual fire, repaired another and personally manned it,
gallantly holding his line until replacements arrived. A little later,
with ammunition critically low and the supply lines cut off, Sgt. Basilone,
at great risk of his life and in the face of continued enemy attack, battled
his way through hostile lines with urgently needed shells for his gunners,
thereby contributing in large measure to the virtual annihilation of a
Japanese regiment. His great personal valor and courageous initiative were
in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.
*BAUER, HAROLD WILLIAM
- Rank and organization: Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Marine Corps, VMF-212.
- Place and date: Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, 10 May - 14 November 1942.
- Born: 20 November 1908. Woodruff, Kans.
- Appointed from: Nebraska.
- Citation: For
extraordinary heroism and conspicuous courage as Squadron Commander of Marine Fighting Squadron 212 in the South Pacific Area during the period
10 May to 14 November 1942. Volunteering to pilot a fighter plane in defense
of our positions on Guadalcanal, Lt. Col. Bauer participated in 2 air battles
against enemy bombers and fighters outnumbering our force more than 2 to
1, boldly engaged the enemy and destroyed 1 Japanese bomber in the engagement
of 28 September and shot down 4 enemy fighter planes in flames on 3 October,
leaving a fifth smoking badly. After successfully leading 26 planes on
an over-water ferry flight of more than 600 miles on 16 October, Lt. Col.
Bauer, while circling to land, sighted a squadron of enemy planes attacking
the U.S.S. McFarland. Undaunted by the formidable opposition and with valor
above and beyond the call of duty, he engaged the entire squadron and,
although alone and his fuel supply nearly exhausted, fought his plane so
brilliantly that 4 of the Japanese planes were destroyed before he was
forced down by lack of fuel. His intrepid fighting spirit and distinctive
ability as a leader and an airman, exemplified in his splendid record of
combat achievement, were vital factors in the successful operations in
the South Pacific Area.
*BAUSELL, LEWIS KENNETH
- Rank and organization: Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division.
- Place and date: Peleliu Island, Palau Group, 15 September 1944.
- Born: 17 April 1924, Pulaski, Va.
- Accredited to: District of Columbia.
- Citation: For conspicuous
gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the
call of duty while serving with the 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces on Peleliu Island,
Palau Group, 15 September 1944. Valiantly placing himself at the head of
his squad, Cpl. Bausell led the charge forward against a hostile pillbox
which was covering a vital sector of the beach and, as the first to reach
the emplacement, immediately started firing his automatic into the aperture
while the remainder of his men closed in on the enemy. Swift to act, as
a Japanese grenade was hurled into their midst, Cpl. Bausell threw himself
on the deadly weapon, taking the full blast of the explosion and sacrificing
his own life to save his men. His unwavering loyalty and inspiring courage
reflect the highest credit upon Cpl. Bausell and the U.S. Naval Service.
He gallantly gave his life for his country.
*BEAUDOIN, RAYMOND O.
- Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, U.S. Army, Company F, 119th Infantry, 30th Infantry Division.
- Place and date: Hamelin, Germany, 6 April 1945.
- Entered service at: Holyoke, Mass.
- Birth: Holyoke, Mass.
- G.O. No.: 9, 25 January 1946.
- Citation: He was leading the 2d Platoon of Company
F over flat, open terrain to Hamelin, Germany, when the enemy went into
action with machineguns and automatic weapons, laying down a devastating
curtain of fire which pinned his unit to the ground. By rotating men in
firing positions he made it possible for his entire platoon to dig in,
defying all the while the murderous enemy fire to encourage his men and
to distribute ammunition. He then dug in himself at the most advanced position,
where he kept up a steady fire, killing 6 hostile soldiers, and directing
his men in inflicting heavy casualties on the numerically superior opposing
force. Despite these defensive measures, however, the position of the platoon
became more precarious, for the enemy had brought up strong reinforcements
and was preparing a counterattack. Three men, sent back at intervals to
obtain ammunition and reinforcements, were killed by sniper fire. To relieve
his command from the desperate situation, 1st Lt. Beaudoin decided to make
a l-man attack on the most damaging enemy sniper nest 90 yards to the right
flank, and thereby divert attention from the runner who would attempt to
pierce the enemy's barrier of bullets and secure help. Crawling over completely
exposed ground, he relentlessly advanced, undeterred by 8 rounds of bazooka
fire which threw mud and stones over him or by rifle fire which ripped
his uniform. Ten yards from the enemy position he stood up and charged.
At point-blank range he shot and killed 2 occupants of the nest; a third,
who tried to bayonet him, he overpowered and killed with the butt of his
carbine; and the fourth adversary was cut down by the platoon's rifle fire
as he attempted to flee. He continued his attack by running toward a dugout,
but there he was struck and killed by a burst from a machinegun. By his
intrepidity, great fighting skill, and supreme devotion to his responsibility
for the well-being of his platoon, 1st Lt. Beaudoin single-handedly accomplished
a mission that enabled a messenger to secure help which saved the stricken
unit and made possible the decisive defeat of the German forces.
BELL, BERNARD P.
- Rank and organization: Technical Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company I, 142d Infantry, 36th Infantry Division.
- Place and date: Mittelwihr, France, 18 December 1944.
- Entered service at: New York, N.Y.
- Birth: Grantsville, W. Va.
- G.O. No.: 73, 30 August 1945.
- Citation: For fighting gallantly at Mittelwihr,
France. On the morning of 18 December 1944, he led a squad against a schoolhouse
held by enemy troops. While his men covered him, he dashed toward the building,
surprised 2 guards at the door and took them prisoner without firing a
shot. He found that other Germans were in the cellar. These he threatened
with hand grenades, forcing 26 in all to emerge and surrender. His squad
then occupied the building and prepared to defend it against powerful enemy
action. The next day, the enemy poured artillery and mortar barrages into
the position, disrupting communications which T/Sgt. Bell repeatedly repaired
under heavy small-arms fire as he crossed dangerous terrain to keep his
company commander informed of the squad's situation. During the day, several
prisoners were taken and other Germans killed when hostile forces were
attracted to the schoolhouse by the sound of captured German weapons fired
by the Americans. At dawn the next day the enemy prepared to assault the
building. A German tank fired round after round into the structure, partially
demolishing the upper stories. Despite this heavy fire, T/Sgt. Bell climbed
to the second floor and directed artillery fire which forced the hostile
tank to withdraw. He then adjusted mortar fire on large forces of enemy
foot soldiers attempting to reach the American position and, when this
force broke and attempted to retire, he directed deadly machinegun and
rifle fire into their disorganized ranks. Calling for armored support to
blast out the German troops hidden behind a wall, he unhesitatingly exposed
himself to heavy small-arms fire to stand beside a friendly tank and tell
its occupants where to rip holes in walls protecting approaches to the
school building. He then trained machineguns on the gaps and mowed down
all hostile troops attempting to cross the openings to get closer to the
school building. By his intrepidity and bold, aggressive leadership, T/Sgt.
Bell enabled his 8-man squad to drive back approximately 150 of the enemy,
killing at least 87 and capturing 42. Personally, he killed more than 20
and captured 33 prisoners.
BENDER, STANLEY
- Rank and organization: Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company E, 7th Infantry, 3d Infantry Division.
- Place and date: Near La Lande, France, 17 August 1944.
- Entered service at: Chicago, Ill.
- Born: 31 October 1909, Carlisle, W. Va.
- G.O. No.: 7, 1 February 1945.
- Citation: For conspicuous gallantry
and intrepidity at risk of life above and beyond the call of duty. On 17
August 1944, near La Lande, France, he climbed on top of a knocked-out
tank, in the face of withering machinegun fire which had halted the advance
of his company, in an effort to locate the source of this fire. Although
bullets ricocheted off the turret at his feet, he nevertheless remained
standing upright in full view of the enemy for over 2 minutes. Locating
the enemy machineguns on a knoll 200 yards away, he ordered 2 squads to
cover him and led his men down an irrigation ditch, running a gauntlet
of intense machinegun fire, which completely blanketed 50 yards of his
advance and wounded 4 of his men. While the Germans hurled hand grenades
at the ditch, he stood his ground until his squad caught up with him, then
advanced alone, in a wide flanking approach, to the rear of the knoll.
He walked deliberately a distance of 40 yards, without cover, in full view
of the Germans and under a hail of both enemy and friendly fire, to the
first machinegun and knocked it out with a single short burst. Then he
made his way through the strong point, despite bursting hand grenades,
toward the second machinegun, 25 yards distant, whose 2-man crew swung
the machinegun around and fired two bursts at him, but he walked calmly
through the fire and, reaching the edge of the emplacement, dispatched
the crew. Signaling his men to rush the rifle pits, he then walked 35 yards
further to kill an enemy rifleman and returned to lead his squad in the
destruction of the 8 remaining Germans in the strong point. His audacity
so inspired the remainder of the assault company that the men charged out
of their positions, shouting and yelling, to overpower the enemy roadblock
and sweep into town, knocking out 2 antitank guns, killing 37 Germans and
capturing 26 others. He had sparked and led the assault company in an attack
which overwhelmed the enemy, destroying a roadblock, taking a town, seizing
intact 3 bridges over the Maravenne River, and capturing commanding terrain
which dominated the area.
*BENJAMIN, GEORGE, JR.
- Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, Company A, 306th Infantry, 77th Infantry Division.
- Place and date: Leyte, Philippine Islands, 21 December 1944.
- Entered service at: Carney's Point, N.J.
- Birth: Philadelphia, Pa.
- G.O. No.: 49, 28 June 1945.
- Citation: He was a radio operator, advancing
in the rear of his company as it engaged a well-defended Japanese strong
point holding up the progress of the entire battalion. When a rifle platoon
supporting a light tank hesitated in its advance, he voluntarily and with
utter disregard for personal safety left his comparatively secure position
and ran across bullet-whipped terrain to the tank, waving and shouting
to the men of the platoon to follow. Carrying his bulky radio and armed
only with a pistol, he fearlessly penetrated intense machinegun and rifle
fire to the enemy position, where he killed 1 of the enemy in a foxhole
and moved on to annihilate the crew of a light machinegun. Heedless of
the terrific fire now concentrated on him, he continued to spearhead the
assault, killing 2 more of the enemy and exhorting the other men to advance,
until he fell mortally wounded. After being evacuated to an aid station,
his first thought was still of the American advance. Overcoming great pain
he called for the battalion operations officer to report the location of
enemy weapons and valuable tactical information he had secured in his heroic
charge. The unwavering courage, the unswerving devotion to the task at
hand, the aggressive leadership of Pfc. Benjamin were a source of great
and lasting inspiration to his comrades and were to a great extent responsible
for the success of the battalion's mission.
BENNETT, EDWARD A.
- Rank and organization: Corporal, U.S. Army, Company B, 358th Infantry, 90th Infantry Division.
- Place and date: Heckhuscheid, Germany, February 1945.
- Entered service at: Middleport, Ohio.
- Birth: Middleport, Ohio.
- G.O. No.: 95, 30 October 1945.
- Citation: He was advancing with Company B across
open ground to assault Heckhuscheid, Germany, just after dark when vicious
enemy machinegun fire from a house on the outskirts of the town pinned
down the group and caused several casualties. He began crawling to the
edge of the field in an effort to flank the house, persisting in this maneuver
even when the hostile machinegunners located him by the light of burning
buildings and attempted to cut him down as he made for the protection of
some trees. Reaching safety, he stealthily made his way by a circuitous
route to the rear of the building occupied by the German gunners. With
his trench knife he killed a sentry on guard there and then charged into
the darkened house. In a furious hand-to-hand struggle he stormed about
a single room which harbored 7 Germans. Three he killed with rifle fire,
another he clubbed to death with the butt of his gun, and the 3 others
he dispatched with his .45 caliber pistol. The fearless initiative, stalwart
combat ability, and outstanding gallantry of Cpl. Bennett eliminated the
enemy fire which was decimating his company's ranks and made it possible
for the Americans to sweep all resistance from the town.
*BENNION, MERVYN SHARP
- Rank and organization: Captain, U.S. Navy, U.S.S. West Virginia.
- Place and date: Pearl Harbor, Territory of Hawaii, 7 December 1941.
- Born: 5 May 1887, Vernon, Utah.
- Appointed from: Utah.
- Citation: For conspicuous devotion to duty,
extraordinary courage, and complete disregard of his own life, above and
beyond the call of duty, during the attack on the Fleet in Pearl Harbor,
by Japanese forces on 7 December 1941. As Commanding Officer of the U.S.S.
West Virginia, after being mortally wounded, Capt. Bennion evidenced apparent
concern only in fighting and saving his ship, and strongly protested against
being carried from the bridge.
*BERRY, CHARLES JOSEPH
- Rank and organization: Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps, 1st Battalion, 26th Marines, 5th Marine Division.
- Place and date: Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 3 March 1945.
- Born: 10 July 1923, Lorain, Ohio.
- Accredited to: Ohio.
- Citation: For conspicuous gallantry
and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty
as member of a machinegun crew, serving with the 1st Battalion, 26th Marines, 5th Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces during the
seizure of Iwo Jima in the Volcano Islands, on 3 March 1945. Stationed
in the front lines, Cpl. Berry manned his weapon with alert readiness as
he maintained a constant vigil with other members of his guncrew during
the hazardous night hours. When infiltrating Japanese soldiers launched
a surprise attack shortly after midnight in an attempt to overrun his position,
he engaged in a pitched hand grenade duel, returning the dangerous weapons
with prompt and deadly accuracy until an enemy grenade landed in the foxhole.
Determined to save his comrades, he unhesitatingly chose to sacrifice himself
and immediately dived on the deadly missile, absorbing the shattering violence
of the exploding charge in his own body and protecting the others from
serious injury. Stouthearted and indomitable, Cpl. Berry fearlessly yielded
his own life that his fellow marines might carry on the relentless battle
against a ruthless enemy and his superb valor and unfaltering devotion
to duty in the face of certain death reflect the highest credit upon himself
and upon the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
BERTOLDO, VITO R.
- Rank and organization: Master Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company A, 242d Infantry, 42d Infantry Division.
- Place and date: Hatten, France, 9-10 January 1945.
- Entered service at: Decatur, 111.
- Born: 1 December 1916, Decatur, 111.
- G.O. No.: 5, 10 January 1946.
- Citation: He fought with extreme gallantry
while guarding 2 command posts against the assault of powerful infantry
and armored forces which had overrun the battalion's main line of resistance.
On the close approach of enemy soldiers, he left the protection of the
building he defended and set up his gun in the street, there to remain
for almost 12 hours driving back attacks while in full view of his adversaries
and completely exposed to 88-mm., machinegun and small-arms fire. He moved
back inside the command post, strapped his machinegun to a table and covered
the main approach to the building by firing through a window, remaining
steadfast even in the face of 88-mm. fire from tanks only 75 yards away.
One shell blasted him across the room, but he returned to his weapon. When
2 enemy personnel carriers led by a tank moved toward his position, he
calmly waited for the troops to dismount and then, with the tank firing
directly at him, leaned out of the window and mowed down the entire group
of more than 20 Germans. Some time later, removal of the command post to
another building was ordered. M/Sgt. Bertoldo voluntarily remained behind,
covering the withdrawal of his comrades and maintaining his stand all night.
In the morning he carried his machinegun to an adjacent building used as
the command post of another battalion and began a day-long defense of that
position. He broke up a heavy attack, launched by a self-propelled 88-mm.
gun covered by a tank and about 15 infantrymen. Soon afterward another
88-mm. weapon moved up to within a few feet of his position, and, placing
the muzzle of its gun almost inside the building, fired into the room,
knocking him down and seriously wounding others. An American bazooka team
set the German weapon afire, and M/Sgt. Bertoldo went back to his machinegun
dazed as he was and killed several of the hostile troops as they attempted
to withdraw. It was decided to evacuate the command post under the cover
of darkness, but before the plan could be put into operation the enemy
began an intensive assault supported by fire from their tanks and heavy
guns. Disregarding the devastating barrage, he remained at his post and
hurled white phosphorous grenades into the advancing enemy troops until
they broke and retreated. A tank less than 50 yards away fired at his stronghold,
destroyed the machinegun and blew him across the room again but he once
more returned to the bitter fight and, with a rifle, single-handedly covered
the withdrawal of his fellow soldiers when the post was finally abandoned.
With inspiring bravery and intrepidity M/Sgt. Bertoldo withstood the attack
of vastly superior forces for more than 48 hours without rest or relief,
time after time escaping death only by the slightest margin while killing
at least 40 hostile soldiers and wounding many more during his grim battle
against the enemy hordes.
BEYER, ARTHUR O.
- Rank and organization: Corporal, U.S. Army, Company C, 603d Tank Destroyer Battalion.
- Place and date: Near Arloncourt, Belgium, 15 January 1945.
- Entered service at: St. Ansgar, lowa.
- Born: 20 May 1909, Rock Township, Mitchell County, lowa.
- G.O. No.: 73, 30 August 1945.
- Citation: He displayed conspicuous
gallantry in action. His platoon, in which he was a tank-destroyer gunner,
was held up by antitank, machinegun, and rifle fire from enemy troops dug
in along a ridge about 200 yards to the front. Noting a machinegun position
in this defense line, he fired upon it with his 76-mm. gun killing 1 man
and silencing the weapon. He dismounted from his vehicle and, under direct
enemy observation, crossed open ground to capture the 2 remaining members
of the crew. Another machinegun, about 250 yards to the left, continued
to fire on him. Through withering fire, he advanced on the position. Throwing
a grenade into the emplacement, he killed 1 crewmember and again captured
the 2 survivors. He was subjected to concentrated small-arms fire but,
with great bravery, he worked his way a quarter mile along the ridge, attacking
hostile soldiers in their foxholes with his carbine and grenades. When
he had completed his self-imposed mission against powerful German forces,
he had destroyed 2 machinegun positions, killed 8 of the enemy and captured
18 prisoners, including 2 bazooka teams. Cpl. Beyer's intrepid action and
unflinching determination to close with and destroy the enemy eliminated
the German defense line and enabled his task force to gain its objective.
*BIANCHI, WILLIBALD C.
- Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, U.S. Army, 45th Infantry, Philippine Scouts.
- Place and date: Near Bagac, Bataan Province, Philippine Islands, 3 February 1942.
- Entered service at: New Ulm, Minn.
- Birth: New Ulm, Minn.
- G.O. No.: 11, 5 March 1942.
- Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity
above and beyond the call of duty in action with the enemy on 3 February
1942, near Bagac, Province of Bataan, Philippine Islands. When the rifle
platoon of another company was ordered to wipe out 2 strong enemy machinegun
nests, 1st Lt. Bianchi voluntarily and of his own initiative, advanced
with the platoon leading part of the men. When wounded early in the action
by 2 bullets through the left hand, he did not stop for first aid but discarded
his rifle and began firing a pistol. He located a machinegun nest and personally
silenced it with grenades. When wounded the second time by 2 machinegun
bullets through the chest muscles, 1st Lt. Bianchi climbed to the top of
an American tank, manned its antiaircraft machinegun, and fired into strongly
held enemy position until knocked completely off the tank by a third severe
wound.
BIDDLE, MELVIN E.
- Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, Company B, 517th Parachute Infantry Regiment.
- Place and date: Near Soy, Belgium, 23-24 December 1944.
- Entered service at: Anderson, Ind.
- Birth: Daleville, Ind.
- G.O. No.: 95, 30 October 1945.
- Citation: He displayed conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity
in action against the enemy near Soy, Belgium, on 23 and 24 December 1944.
Serving as lead scout during an attack to relieve the enemy-encircled town
of Hotton, he aggressively penetrated a densely wooded area, advanced 400
yards until he came within range of intense enemy rifle fire, and within
20 yards of enemy positions killed 3 snipers with unerring marksmanship.
Courageously continuing his advance an additional 200 yards, he discovered
a hostile machinegun position and dispatched its 2 occupants. He then located
the approximate position of a well-concealed enemy machinegun nest, and
crawling forward threw hand grenades which killed two Germans and fatally
wounded a third. After signaling his company to advance, he entered a determined
line of enemy defense, coolly and deliberately shifted his position, and
shot 3 more enemy soldiers. Undaunted by enemy fire, he crawled within
20 yards of a machinegun nest, tossed his last hand grenade into the position,
and after the explosion charged the emplacement firing his rifle. When
night fell, he scouted enemy positions alone for several hours and returned
with valuable information which enabled our attacking infantry and armor
to knock out 2 enemy tanks. At daybreak he again led the advance and, when
flanking elements were pinned down by enemy fire, without hesitation made
his way toward a hostile machinegun position and from a distance of 50
yards killed the crew and 2 supporting riflemen. The remainder of the enemy,
finding themselves without automatic weapon support, fled panic stricken.
Pfc. Biddle's intrepid courage and superb daring during his 20-hour action
enabled his battalion to break the enemy grasp on Hotton with a minimum
of casualties.
*BIGELOW, ELMER CHARLES
- Rank and organization: Watertender First Class, U.S. Naval Reserve, U.S.S. Fletcher.
- Place and date: Off Corregidor Island, Philippines, 14 February 1945.
- Born: 12 July 1920, Hebron, 111.
- Accredited to. Illinois.
- Citation: For
conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and
beyond the call of duty while serving on board the U.S.S. Fletcher during
action against enemy Japanese forces off Corregidor Island in the Philippines,
14 February 1945. Standing topside when an enemy shell struck the Fletcher,
Bigelow, acting instantly as the deadly projectile exploded into fragments
which penetrated the No. 1 gun magazine and set fire to several powder
cases, picked up a pair of fire extinguishers and rushed below in a resolute
attempt to quell the raging flames. Refusing to waste the precious time
required to don rescue-breathing apparatus, he plunged through the blinding
smoke billowing out of the magazine hatch and dropped into the blazing
compartment. Despite the acrid, burning powder smoke which seared his lungs
with every agonizing breath, he worked rapidly and with instinctive sureness
and succeeded in quickly extinguishing the fires and in cooling the cases
and bulkheads, thereby preventing further damage to the stricken ship.
Although he succumbed to his injuries on the following day, Bigelow, by
his dauntless valor, unfaltering skill and prompt action in the critical
emergency, had averted a magazine explosion which undoubtedly would have
left his ship wallowing at the mercy of the furiously pounding Japanese
guns on Corregidor, and his heroic spirit of self-sacrifice in the face
of almost certain death enhanced and sustained the highest traditions of
the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life in the service of his
country.
BJORKLUND, ARNOLD L.
- Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, U.S. Army, 36th Infantry Division.
- Place and date: Near Altavilla, Italy, 13 September 1943.
- Entered service at: Seattle, Wash.
- Birth: Clinton, Wash.
- G.O. No.: 73, 6 September 1944.
- Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life
above and beyond the call of duty in action with the enemy near Altavilla,
Italy, 13 September 1943. When his company attacked a German position on
Hill 424, the first platoon, led by 1st Lt. Bjorklund, moved forward on
the right flank to the slope of the hill where it was pinned down by a
heavy concentration of machinegun and rifle fire. Ordering his men to give
covering fire, with only 3 hand grenades, he crept and crawled forward
to a German machinegun position located on a terrace along the forward
slope. Approaching within a few yards of the position, and while continuously
exposed to enemy fire, he hurled 1 grenade into the nest, destroyed the
gun and killed 3 Germans. Discovering a second machinegun 20 yards to the
right on a higher terrace, he moved under intense enemy fire to a point
within a few yards and threw a second grenade into this position, destroying
it and killing 2 more Germans. The first platoon was then able to advance
150 yards further up the slope to the crest of the hill, but was again
stopped by the fire from a heavy enemy mortar on the reverse slope. 1st
Lt. Bjorklund located the mortar and worked his way under little cover
to within 10 yards of its position and threw his third grenade, destroying
the mortar, killing 2 of the Germans, and forcing the remaining 3 to flee.
His actions permitted the platoon to take its objective .
BLOCH, ORVILLE EMIL
- Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, U.S. Army, Company E, 338th Infantry, 85th Infantry Division.
- Place and date: Near Firenzuola, Italy, 22 September 1944.
- Entered service at: Streeter, N. Dak.
- Birth: Big Falls, Wis.
- G.O. No.: 9, 10 February 1945.
- Citation: For conspicuous gallantry
and intrepidity at risk of life above and beyond the call of duty. 1st
Lt. Bloch undertook the task of wiping out 5 enemy machinegun nests that
had held up the advance in that particular sector for 1 day. Gathering
3 volunteers from his platoon, the patrol snaked their way to a big rock,
behind which a group of 3 buildings and 5 machinegun nests were located.
Leaving the 3 men behind the rock, he attacked the first machinegun nest
alone charging into furious automatic fire, kicking over the machinegun,
and capturing the machinegun crew of 5. Pulling the pin from a grenade,
he held it ready in his hand and dashed into the face of withering automatic
fire toward this second enemy machinegun nest located at the corner of
an adjacent building 15 yards distant. When within 20 feet of the machinegun
he hurled the grenade, wounding the machinegunner, the other 2 members
of the crew fleeing into a door of the house. Calling one of his volunteer
group to accompany him, they advanced to the opposite end of the house,
there contacting a machinegun crew of 5 running toward this house. 1st
Lt Bloch and his men opened fire on the enemy crew, forcing them to abandon
this machinegun and ammunition and flee into the same house. Without a
moment's hesitation, 1st Lt. Bloch, unassisted, rushed through the door
into a hail of small-arms fire, firing his carbine from the hip, and captured
the 7 occupants, wounding 3 of them. 1st Lt. Bloch with his men then proceeded
to a third house where they discovered an abandoned enemy machinegun and
detected another enemy machinegun nest at the next corner of the building.
The crew of 6 spotted 1st Lt. Bloch the instant he saw them. Without a
moment's hesitation he dashed toward them. The enemy fired pistols wildly
in his direction and vanished through a door of the house, 1st Lt. Bloch
following them through the door, firing his carbine from the hip, wounding
2 of the enemy and capturing 6. Altogether 1st Lt. Bloch had single-handedly
captured 19 prisoners, wounding 6 of them and eliminating a total of 5
enemy machinegun nests. His gallant and heroic actions saved his company
many casualties and permitted them to continue the attack with new inspiration
and vigor.
BOLDEN, PAUL L.
- Rank and organization: Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company 1, 120th Infantry, 30th Infantry Division.
- Place and date: Petit-Coo, Belgium, 23 December 1944.
- Entered service at: Madison, Ala.
- Birth: Hobbes Island, lowa.
- G.O. No.: 73, 30 August 1945-.
- Citation: He voluntarily attacked a formidable
enemy strong point in Petit-Coo, Belgium, on 23 December, 1944, when his
company was pinned down by extremely heavy automatic and small-arms fire
coming from a house 200 yards to the front. Mortar and tank artillery shells
pounded the unit, when S/Sgt. Bolden and a comrade, on their own initiative,
moved forward into a hail of bullets to eliminate the ever-increasing fire
from the German position. Crawling ahead to close with what they knew was
a powerfully armed, vastly superior force, the pair reached the house and
took up assault positions, S/Sgt. Bolden under a window, his comrade across
the street where he could deliver covering fire. In rapid succession, S/Sgt.
Bolden hurled a fragmentation grenade and a white phosphorous grenade into
the building; and then, fully realizing that he faced tremendous odds,
rushed to the door, threw it open and fired into 35 SS troopers who were
trying to reorganize themselves after the havoc wrought by the grenades.
Twenty Germans died under fire of his submachinegun before he was struck
in the shoulder, chest, and stomach by part of a burst which killed his
comrade across the street. He withdrew from the house, waiting for the
surviving Germans to come out and surrender. When none appeared in the
doorway, he summoned his ebbing strength, overcame the extreme pain he
suffered and boldly walked back into the house, firing as he went. He had
killed the remaining 15 enemy soldiers when his ammunition ran out. S/Sgt.
Bolden's heroic advance against great odds, his fearless assault, and his
magnificent display of courage in reentering the building where he had
been severely wounded cleared the path for his company and insured the
success of its mission.
BOLTON, CECIL H.
- Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, U.S. Army, Company E, 413th Infantry, 104th Infantry Division.
- Place and date: Mark River, Holland, 2 November 1944.
- Entered service at: Huntsville, Ala.
- Birth: Crawfordsville, Fla.
- G.O. No.: 74, 1 September 1945.
- Citation: As leader of the weapons
platoon of Company E, 413th Infantry, on the night of 2 November 1944,
he fought gallantly in a pitched battle which followed the crossing of
the Mark River in Holland. When 2 machineguns pinned down his company,
he tried to eliminate, with mortar fire, their grazing fire which was inflicting
serious casualties and preventing the company's advance from an area rocked
by artillery shelling. In the moonlight it was impossible for him to locate
accurately the enemy's camouflaged positions; but he continued to direct
fire until wounded severely in the legs and rendered unconscious by a German
shell. When he recovered consciousness he instructed his unit and then
crawled to the forward rifle platoon positions. Taking a two-man bazooka
team on his voluntary mission, he advanced chest deep in chilling water
along a canal toward 1 enemy machinegun. While the bazooka team covered
him, he approached alone to within 15 yards of the hostile emplacement
in a house. He charged the remaining distance and killed the 2 gunners
with hand grenades. Returning to his men he led them through intense fire
over open ground to assault the second German machinegun. An enemy sniper
who tried to block the way was dispatched, and the trio pressed on. When
discovered by the machinegun crew and subjected to direct fire, 1st Lt.
Bolton killed 1 of the 3 gunners with carbine fire, and his 2 comrades
shot the others. Continuing to disregard his wounds, he led the bazooka
team toward an 88-mm. artillery piece which was having telling effect on
the American ranks, and approached once more through icy canal water until
he could dimly make out the gun's silhouette. Under his fire direction,
the two soldiers knocked out the enemy weapon with rockets. On the way
back to his own lines he was again wounded. To prevent his men being longer
subjected to deadly fire, he refused aid and ordered them back to safety,
painfully crawling after them until he reached his lines, where he collapsed.
1st Lt. Bolton's heroic assaults in the face of vicious fire, his inspiring
leadership, and continued aggressiveness even through suffering from serious
wounds, contributed in large measure to overcoming strong enemy resistance
and made it possible for his battalion to reach its objective.
BONG, RICHARD 1. (Air Mission)
- Rank and organization: Major, U.S. Army Air Corps.
- Place and date: Over Borneo and Leyte, 10 October to 15 November 1944.
- Entered service at: Poplar, Wis.
- Birth: Poplar, Wis.
- G.O. No.: 90, 8 December 1944.
- Citation: For conspicuous
gallantry and intrepidity in action above and beyond the call of duty in
the Southwest Pacific area from 10 October to 15 November 1944. Though
assigned to duty as gunnery instructor and neither required nor expected
to perform combat duty, Maj. Bong voluntarily and at his own urgent request
engaged in repeated combat missions, including unusually hazardous sorties
over Balikpapan,
- Borneo, and in the Leyte area of the Philippines. His
aggressiveness and daring resulted in his shooting down 8 enemy airplanes
during this period.
*BONNYMAN, ALEXANDER, JR.
- Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps Reserves, 2d Battalion Shore Party, 8th Marines, 2d Marine Division.
- Place and date: Tarawa , Gilbert Islands, 20-22 November 1943.
- Born: 2 May 1910, Atlanta, Ga.
- Accredited to: New Mexico.
- Citation: For
conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and
beyond the call of duty as Executive Officer of the 2d Battalion Shore
Party, 8th Marines, 2d Marine Division, during the assault against enemy
Japanese-held Tarawa in the Gilbert Islands, 20-22 November 1943. Acting
on his own initiative when assault troops were pinned down at the far end
of Betio Pier by the overwhelming fire of Japanese shore batteries, 1st
Lt. Bonnyman repeatedly defied the blasting fury of the enemy bombardment
to organize and lead the besieged men over the long, open pier to the beach
and then, voluntarily obtaining flame throwers and demolitions, organized
his pioneer shore party into assault demolitionists and directed the blowing
of several hostile installations before the close of D-day. Determined
to effect an opening in the enemy's strongly organized defense line the
following day, he voluntarily crawled approximately 40 yards forward of
our lines and placed demolitions in the entrance of a large Japanese emplacement
as the initial move in his planned attack against the heavily garrisoned,
bombproof installation which was stubbornly resisting despite the destruction
early in the action of a large number of Japanese who had been inflicting
heavy casualties on our forces and holding up our advance. Withdrawing
only to replenish his ammunition, he led his men in a renewed assault,
fearlessly exposing himself to the merciless slash of hostile fire as he
stormed the formidable bastion, directed the placement of demolition charges
in both entrances and seized the top of the bombproof position, flushing
more than 100 of the enemy who were instantly cut down, and effecting the
annihilation of approximately 150 troops inside the emplacement. Assailed
by additional Japanese after he had gained his objective, he made a heroic
stand on the edge of the structure, defending his strategic position with
indomitable determination in the face of the desperate charge and killing
3 of the enemy before he fell, mortally wounded. By his dauntless fighting
spirit, unrelenting aggressiveness and forceful leadership throughout 3
days of unremitting, violent battle, 1st Lt. Bonnyman had inspired his
men to heroic effort, enabling them to beat off the counterattack and break
the back of hostile resistance in that sector for an immediate gain of
400 yards with no further casualties to our forces in this zone. He gallantly
gave his life for his country.
*BOOKER, ROBERT D.
- Rank and organization: Private, U.S. Army, 34th Infantry Division.
- Place and date: Near Fondouk, Tunisia, 9 April 1943.
- Entered service at: Callaway, Nebr.
- Born: 11 July 1920, Callaway, Nebr.
- G.O. No.: 34, 25 April 1944.
- Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life above
and beyond the call of duty in action. On 9 April 1943 in the vicinity
of Fondouk, Tunisia, Pvt. Booker, while engaged in action against the enemy,
carried a light machinegun and a box of ammunition over 200 yards of open
ground. He continued to advance despite the fact that 2 enemy machineguns
and several mortars were using him as an individual target. Although enemy
artillery also began to register on him, upon reaching his objective he
immediately commenced firing. After being wounded he silenced 1 enemy machinegun
and was beginning to fire at the other when he received a second mortal
wound. With his last remaining strength he encouraged the members of his
squad and directed their fire. Pvt. Booker acted without regard for his
own safety. His initiative and courage against insurmountable odds are
an example of the highest standard of self-sacrifice and fidelity to duty.
*BORDELON, WILLIAM JAMES
- Rank and organization: Staff Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps, 1st Battalion, 18th Marines.
- Place and date: Tarawa, Gilbert Islands, 20 November 1943.
- Born: 25 December 1920, San Antonio, Tex.
- Accredited to: Texas.
- Citation: For valorous and
gallant conduct above and beyond the call of duty as a member of an assault
engineer platoon of the 1st Battalion, 18th Marines, tactically attached
to the 2d Marine Division, in action against the Japanese-held atoll of
Tarawa in the Gilbert Islands on 20 November 1943. Landing in the assault
waves under withering enemy fire which killed all but 4 of the men in his
tractor, S/Sgt. Bordelon hurriedly made demolition charges and personally
put 2 pillboxes out of action. Hit by enemy machinegun fire just as a charge
exploded in his hand while assaulting a third position, he courageously
remained in action and, although out of demolition, provided himself with
a rifle and furnished fire coverage for a group of men scaling the seawall.
Disregarding his own serious condition, he unhesitatingly went to the aid
of one of his demolition men, wounded and calling for help in the water,
rescuing this man and another who had been hit by enemy fire while attempting
to make the rescue. Still refusing first aid for himself, he again made
up demolition charges and single-handedly assaulted a fourth Japanese machinegun
position but was instantly killed when caught in a final burst of fire
from the enemy. S/Sgt. Bordelon's great personal valor during a critical
phase of securing the limited beachhead was a contributing factor in the
ultimate occupation of the island, and his heroic determination throughout
3 days of violent battle reflects the highest credit upon the U.S. Naval
Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
*BOYCE, GEORGE W. G., JR.
- Rank and organization: Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army, 112th Cavalry Regimental Combat Team.
- Place and date. Near Afua, New Guinea, 23 July 1944.
- Entered service at: Town of Cornwall, Orange County, N.Y.
- Birth: New York City, N.Y.
- G.O. No.: 25, 7 April 1945.
- Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and
intrepidity at risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty near
Afua, New Guinea, on 23 July 1944. 2d Lt. Boyce's troop, having been ordered
to the relief of another unit surrounded by superior enemy forces, moved
out, and upon gaining contact with the enemy, the two leading platoons
deployed and built up a firing line. 2d Lt. Boyce was ordered to attack
with his platoon and make the main effort on the right of the troop. He
launched his attack but after a short advance encountered such intense
rifle, machinegun, and mortar fire that the forward movement of his platoon
was temporarily halted. A shallow depression offered a route of advance
and he worked his squad up this avenue of approach in order to close with
the enemy. He was promptly met by a volley of hand grenades, 1 falling
between himself and the men immediately following. Realizing at once that
the explosion would kill or wound several of his men, he promptly threw
himself upon the grenade and smothered the blast with his own body. By
thus deliberately sacrificing his life to save those of his men, this officer
exemplified the highest traditions of the U.S. Armed Forces.
BOYINGTON, GREGORY
- Rank and organization: Major, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, VMF-214.
- Place and date: Central Solomons area, from 12 September 1943 to 3 January 1944.
- Entered service at: Washington.
- Born: 4 December 1912, Coeur D'Alene, Idaho.
- Other Navy award: Navy Cross.
- Citation: For extraordinary
heroism and valiant devotion to duty as commanding officer of Marine Fighting
Squadron 214 in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Central Solomons
area from 12 September 1943 to 3 January 1944. Consistently outnumbered
throughout successive hazardous flights over heavily defended hostile territory,
Maj. Boyington struck at the enemy with daring and courageous persistence,
leading his squadron into combat with devastating results to Japanese shipping,
shore installations, and aerial forces. Resolute in his efforts to inflict
crippling damage on the enemy, Maj. Boyington led a formation of 24 fighters
over Kahili on 17 October and, persistently circling the airdrome where
60 hostile aircraft were grounded, boldly challenged the Japanese to send
up planes. Under his brilliant command, our fighters shot down 20 enemy
craft in the ensuing action without the loss of a single ship. A superb
airman and determined fighter against overwhelming odds, Maj. Boyington
personally destroyed 26 of the many Japanese planes shot down by his squadron
and, by his forceful leadership, developed the combat readiness in his
command which was a distinctive factor in the Allied aerial achievements
in this vitally strategic area.
BRILES, HERSCHEL F.
- Rank and organization: Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, Co. C, 899th Tank Destroyer Battalion.
- Place and date: Near Scherpenseel, Germany, 20 November 1944.
- Entered service at: Fort Des Moines, lowa.
- Birth: Colfax, lowa.
- G.O. No.: 77, 10 September 1945.
- Citation: He was leading a platoon of destroyers
across an exposed slope near Scherpenseel, Germany, on 20 November 1944,
when they came under heavy enemy artillery fire. A direct hit was scored
on 1 of the vehicles, killing 1 man, seriously wounding 2 others, and setting
the destroyer afire. With a comrade, S/Sgt. Briles left the cover of his
own armor and raced across ground raked by artillery and small-arms fire
to the rescue of the men in the shattered destroyer. Without hesitation,
he lowered himself into the burning turret, removed the wounded and then
extinguished the fire. From a position he assumed the next morning, he
observed hostile infantrymen advancing. With his machinegun, he poured
such deadly fire into the enemy ranks that an entire pocket of 55 Germans
surrendered, clearing the way for a junction between American units which
had been held up for 2 days. Later that day, when another of his destroyers
was hit by a concealed enemy tank, he again left protection to give assistance.
With the help of another soldier, he evacuated two wounded under heavy
fire and, returning to the burning vehicle, braved death from exploding
ammunition to put out the flames. By his heroic initiative and complete
disregard for personal safety, S/Sgt. Briles was largely responsible for
causing heavy enemy casualties, forcing the surrender of 55 Germans, making
possible the salvage of our vehicles, and saving the lives of wounded comrades.
BRITT, MAURICE L.
- Rank and organization: Captain (then Lieutenant), U.S. Army, 3d Infantry Division.
- Place and date: North of Mignano, Italy, 10 November 1943.
- Entered service at: Lonoke, Ark.
- Born: 29 June 1919, Carlisle, Ark.
- G.O. No.: 23, 24 March 1944.
- Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the
risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Disdaining enemy hand
grenades and close-range machine pistol, machinegun, and rifle, Lt. Britt
inspired and led a handful of his men in repelling a bitter counterattack
by approximately 100 Germans against his company positions north of Mignano,
Italy, the morning of 10 November 1943. During the intense fire fight,
Lt. Britt's canteen and field glasses were shattered; a bullet pierced
his side; his chest, face, and hands were covered with grenade wounds.
Despite his wounds, for which he refused to accept medical attention until
ordered to do so by his battalion commander following the battle, he personally
killed 5 and wounded an unknown number of Germans, wiped out one enemy
machinegun crew, fired 5 clips of carbine and an undetermined amount of
Ml rifle ammunition, and threw 32 fragmentation grenades. His bold, aggressive
actions, utterly disregarding superior enemy numbers, resulted in capture
of 4 Germans, 2 of them wounded, and enabled several captured Americans
to escape. Lt. Britt's undaunted courage and prowess in arms were largely
responsible for repulsing a German counterattack which, if successful,
would have isolated his battalion and destroyed his company.
*BROSTROM, LEONARD C.
- Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, Company F, 17th Infantry, 7th Infantry Division.
- Place and date: Near Dagami, Leyte, Philippine Islands, 28 October 1944.
- Entered service at: Preston, Idaho.
- Birth: Preston, Idaho.
- G.O. No.: 104, 15 November 1945.
- Citation: He was a rifleman with
an assault platoon which ran into powerful resistance near Dagami, Leyte,
Philippine Islands, on 28 October 1944. From pillboxes, trenches, and spider
holes, so well camouflaged that they could be detected at no more than
20 yards, the enemy poured machinegun and rifle fire, causing severe casualties
in the platoon. Realizing that a key pillbox in the center of the strong
point would have to be knocked out if the company were to advance, Pfc.
Bostrom, without orders and completely ignoring his own safety, ran forward
to attack the pillbox with grenades. He immediately became the prime target
for all the riflemen in the area, as he rushed to the rear of the pillbox
and tossed grenades through the entrance. Six enemy soldiers left a trench
in a bayonet charge against the heroic American, but he killed 1 and drove
the others off with rifle fire. As he threw more grenades from his completely
exposed position he was wounded several times in the abdomen and knocked
to the ground. Although suffering intense pain and rapidly weakening from
loss of blood, he slowly rose to his feet and once more hurled his deadly
missiles at the pillbox. As he collapsed, the enemy began fleeing from
the fortification and were killed by riflemen of his platoon. Pfc. Brostrom
died while being carried from the battlefield, but his intrepidity and
unhesitating willingness to sacrifice himself in a l-man attack against
overwhelming odds enabled his company to reorganize against attack, and
annihilate the entire enemy position.
BROWN, BOBBIE E.
- Rank and organization: Captain, U S. Army, Company C, 18th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division.
- Place and date: Crucifix Hill, Aachen, Germany, 8 October 1944.
- Entered service at: Atlanta, Ga.
- Born: 2 September 1903, Dublin, Ga.
- G.O. No.: 74, 1 September 1945.
- Citation: He commanded Company
C, 18th Infantry Regiment, on 8 October 1944, when it, with the Ranger
Platoon of the 1st Battalion, attacked Crucifix Hill, a key point in the
enemy's defense of Aachen, Germany. As the leading rifle platoon assaulted
the first of many pillboxes studding the rising ground, heavy fire from
a flanking emplacement raked it. An intense artillery barrage fell on the
American troops which had been pinned down in an exposed position. Seeing
that the pillboxes must be neutralized to prevent the slaughter of his
men, Capt. Brown obtained a pole charge and started forward alone toward
the first pillbox, about 100 yards away. Hugging the ground while enemy
bullets whipped around him, he crawled and then ran toward the aperture
of the fortification, rammed his explosive inside and jumped back as the
pillbox and its occupants were blown up. He rejoined the assault platoon,
secured another pole charge, and led the way toward the next pillbox under
continuous artillery mortar, automatic, and small-arms fire. He again ran
forward and placed his charge in the enemy fortification, knocking it out.
He then found that fire from a third pillbox was pinning down his company;
so he returned to his men, secured another charge, and began to creep and
crawl toward the hostile emplacement. With heroic bravery he disregarded
opposing fire and worked ahead in the face of bullets streaming from the
pillbox. Finally reaching his objective, he stood up and inserted his explosive,
silencing the enemy. He was wounded by a mortar shell but refused medical
attention and, despite heavy hostile fire, moved swiftly among his troops
exhorting and instructing them in subduing powerful opposition. Later,
realizing the need for information of enemy activity beyond the hill, Capt.
Brown went out alone to reconnoiter. He observed possible routes of enemy
approach and several times deliberately drew enemy fire to locate gun emplacements.
Twice more, on this self-imposed mission, he was wounded; but he succeeded
in securing information which led to the destruction of several enemy guns
and enabled his company to throw back 2 powerful counterattacks with heavy
losses. Only when Company C's position was completely secure did he permit
treatment of his 3 wounds. By his indomitable courage, fearless leadership,
and outstanding skill as a soldier, Capt. Brown contributed in great measure
to the taking of Crucifix Hill, a vital link in the American line encircling
Aachen.
BULKELEY, JOHN DUNCAN
- Rank and organization: Lieutenant Commander, Commander of Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron 3, U.S. Navy.
- Place and date: Philippine waters, 7 December 1941 to 10 April 1942.
- Entered service at: Texas.
- Born: 19 August 1911, New York, N.Y.
- Other awards: Navy Cross, Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star, Legion of Merit.
- Citation: For extraordinary heroism, distinguished
service, and conspicuous gallantry above and beyond the call of duty as
commander of Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron 3, in Philippine waters during
the period 7 December 1941 to 10 April 1942. The remarkable achievement
of Lt. Comdr. Bulkeley's command in damaging or destroying a notable number
of Japanese enemy planes, surface combatant and merchant ships, and in
dispersing landing parties and land-based enemy forces during the 4 months
and 8 days of operation without benefit of repairs, overhaul, or maintenance
facilities for his squadron, is believed to be without precedent in this
type of warfare. His dynamic forcefulness and daring in offensive action,
his brilliantly planned and skillfully executed attacks, supplemented by
a unique resourcefulness and ingenuity, characterize him as an outstanding
leader of men and a gallant and intrepid seaman. These qualities coupled
with a complete disregard for his own personal safety reflect great credit
upon him and the Naval Service .
BURKE, FRANK (also known as FRANCIS X. BURKE)
- Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, U.S. Army, 15th Infantry, 3d Infantry Division.
- Place and date: Nuremberg, Germany, 17 April 1945.
- Entered service at: Jersey City, N.J.
- Born: 29 September 1918, New York, N.Y.
- G.O. No.: 4, 9 January 1946.
- Citation: He fought with extreme gallantry in the
streets of war-torn Nuremberg, Germany, where the 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry, was engaged in rooting out fanatical defenders of the citadel of Nazism.
As battalion transportation officer he had gone forward to select a motor-pool
site, when, in a desire to perform more than his assigned duties and participate
in the fight, he advanced beyond the lines of the forward riflemen. Detecting
a group of about 10 Germans making preparations for a local counterattack,
he rushed back to a nearby American company, secured a light machinegun
with ammunition, and daringly opened fire on this superior force, which
deployed and returned his fire with machine pistols, rifles, and rocket
launchers. From another angle a German machinegun tried to blast him from
his emplacement, but 1st Lt. Burke killed this guncrew and drove off the
survivors of the unit he had originally attacked. Giving his next attention
to enemy infantrymen in ruined buildings, he picked up a rifle dashed more
than 100 yards through intense fire and engaged the Germans from behind
an abandoned tank. A sniper nearly hit him from a cellar only 20 yards
away, but he dispatched this adversary by running directly to the basement
window, firing a full clip into it and then plunging through the darkened
aperture to complete the job. He withdrew from the fight only long enough
to replace his jammed rifle and secure grenades, then re-engaged the Germans.
Finding his shots ineffective, he pulled the pins from 2 grenades, and,
holding 1 in each hand, rushed the enemy-held building, hurling his missiles
just as the enemy threw a potato masher grenade at him. In the triple explosion
the Germans were wiped out and 1st Lt. Burke was dazed; but he emerged
from the shower of debris that engulfed him, recovered his rifle, and went
on to kill 3 more Germans and meet the charge of a machine pistolman, whom
he cut down with 3 calmly delivered shots. He then retired toward the American
lines and there assisted a platoon in a raging, 30-minute fight against
formidable armed hostile forces. This enemy group was repulsed, and the
intrepid fighter moved to another friendly group which broke the power
of a German unit armed with a 20-mm. gun in a fierce fire fight. In 4 hours
of heroic action, 1st Lt. Burke single-handedly killed 11 and wounded 3
enemy soldiers and took a leading role in engagements in which an additional
29 enemy were killed or wounded. His extraordinary bravery and superb fighting
skill were an inspiration to his comrades, and his entirely voluntary mission
into extremely dangerous territory hastened the fall of Nuremberg, in his
battalion's sector.
*BURR, ELMER J.
- Rank and organization: First Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company 1, 127th Infantry, 32d Infantry Division.
- Place and date: Buna, New Guinea, 24 December 1942.
- Entered service at: Menasha, Wis.
- Birth: Neenah, Wis.
- G.O. No.: 66, 11 Oct. 1943.
- Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action
above and beyond the call of duty. During an attack near Buna, New Guinea,
on 24 December 1942, 1st Sgt. Burr saw an enemy grenade strike near his
company commander. Instantly and with heroic self-sacrifice he threw himself
upon it, smothering the explosion with his body. 1st Sgt. Burr thus gave
his life in saving that of his commander.
BURR, HERBERT H.
- Rank and organization: Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company C, 41st Tank Battalion, 11th Armored Division.
- Place and date: Near Dorrmoschel, Germany, 19 March 1945.
- Entered service at: Kansas City, Mo.
- Birth: St. Joseph, Mo.
- G.O. No.: 73, 30 August 1945.
- Citation: He displayed conspicuous gallantry
during action when the tank in which he was bow gunner was hit by an enemy
rocket, which severely wounded the platoon sergeant and forced the remainder
of the crew to abandon the vehicle. Deafened, but otherwise unhurt, S/Sgt.
Burr immediately climbed into the driver's seat and continued on the mission
of entering the town to reconnoiter road conditions. As he rounded a turn
he encountered an 88-mm. antitank gun at pointblank range. Realizing that
he had no crew, no one to man the tank's guns, he heroically chose to disregard
his personal safety in a direct charge on the German weapon. At considerable
speed he headed straight for the loaded gun, which was fully manned by
enemy troops who had only to pull the lanyard to send a shell into his
vehicle. So unexpected and daring was his assault that he was able to drive
his tank completely over the gun, demolishing it and causing its crew to
flee in confusion. He then skillfully sideswiped a large truck, overturned
it, and wheeling his lumbering vehicle, returned to his company. When medical
personnel who had been summoned to treat the wounded sergeant could not
locate him, the valiant soldier ran through a hail of sniper fire to direct
them to his stricken comrade. The bold, fearless determination of S/Sgt.
Burr, his skill and courageous devotion to duty, resulted in the completion
of his mission in the face of seemingly impossible odds.
BURT, JAMES M.
- Rank and organization: Captain, U.S. Army, Company B, 66th Armored Regiment, 2d Armored Division.
- Place and date: Near Wurselen, Germany, 13 October 1944.
- Entered service at: Lee, Mass.
- Birth: Hinsdale, Mass.
- G.O. No.: 95, 30 October 1945.
- Citation: Capt. James M. Burt was in command of Company
B, 66th Armored Regiment on the western outskirts of Wurselen, Germany,
on 13 October 1944, when his organization participated in a coordinated
infantry-tank attack destined to isolate the large German garrison which
was tenaciously defending the city of Aachen. In the first day's action,
when infantrymen ran into murderous small-arms and mortar fire, Capt. Burt
dismounted from his tank about 200 yards to the rear and moved forward
on foot beyond the infantry positions, where, as the enemy concentrated
a tremendous volume of fire upon him, he calmly motioned his tanks into
good firing positions. As our attack gained momentum, he climbed aboard
his tank and directed the action from the rear deck, exposed to hostile
volleys which finally wounded him painfully in the face and neck. He maintained
his dangerous post despite pointblank self-propelled gunfire until friendly
artillery knocked out these enemy weapons, and then proceeded to the advanced
infantry scouts' positions to deploy his tanks for the defense of the gains
which had been made. The next day, when the enemy counterattacked, he left
cover and went 75 yards through heavy fire to assist the infantry battalion
commander who was seriously wounded. For the next 8 days, through rainy,
miserable weather and under constant, heavy shelling, Capt. Burt held the
combined forces together, dominating and controlling the critical situation
through the sheer force of his heroic example. To direct artillery fire,
on 15 October, he took his tank 300 yards into the enemy lines, where he
dismounted and remained for 1 hour giving accurate data to friendly gunners.
Twice more that day he went into enemy territory under deadly fire on reconnaissance.
In succeeding days he never faltered in his determination to defeat the
strong German forces opposing him. Twice the tank in which he was riding
was knocked out by enemy action, and each time he climbed aboard another
vehicle and continued the fight. He took great risks to rescue wounded
comrades and inflicted prodigious destruction on enemy personnel and materiel
even though suffering from the wounds he received in the battle's opening
phase. Capt. Burt's intrepidity and disregard of personal safety were so
complete that his own men and the infantry who attached themselves to him
were inspired to overcome the wretched and extremely hazardous conditions
which accompanied one of the most bitter local actions of the war. The
victory achieved closed the Aachen gap.
BUSH, RICHARD EARL
- Rank and organization: Corporal, U .S. Marine Corps Reserve, 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, 6th Marine Division.
- Place and date: Mount Yaetake on Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, 16 April 1945.
- Entered service at: Kentucky.
- Born: 23 December 1923, Glasgow, Ky.
- Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity
at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as a squad leader
serving with the 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, 6th Marine Division, in action
against enemy Japanese forces, during the final assault against Mount Yaetake
on Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, 16 April 1945. Rallying his men forward with
indomitable determination, Cpl. Bush boldly defied the slashing fury of
concentrated Japanese artillery fire pouring down from the gun-studded
mountain fortress to lead his squad up the face of the rocky precipice,
sweep over the ridge, and drive the defending troops from their deeply
entrenched position. With his unit, the first to break through to the inner
defense of Mount Yaetake, he fought relentlessly in the forefront of the
action until seriously wounded and evacuated with others under protecting
rocks. Although prostrate under medical treatment when a Japanese hand
grenade landed in the midst of the group, Cpl. Bush, alert and courageous
in extremity as in battle, unhesitatingly pulled the deadly missile to
himself and absorbed the shattering violence of the exploding charge in
his body, thereby saving his fellow marines from severe injury or death
despite the certain peril to his own life. By his valiant leadership and
aggressive tactics in the face of savage opposition, Cpl. Bush contributed
materially to the success of the sustained drive toward the conquest of
this fiercely defended outpost of the Japanese Empire. His constant concern
for the welfare of his men, his resolute spirit of self-sacrifice, and
his unwavering devotion to duty throughout the bitter conflict enhance
and sustain the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.
BUSH, ROBERT EUGENE
- Rank and organization: Hospital Apprentice First Class, U.S. Naval Reserve, serving as Medical Corpsman with a rifle company, 2d Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division.
- Place and date: Okinawa Jima, Ryukyu Islands, 2 May 1945.
- Entered service at: Washington.
- Born: 4 October 1926, Tacoma, Wash.
- Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his
life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as Medical Corpsman
with a rifle company, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa
Jima, Ryukyu Islands, 2 May 1945. Fearlessly braving the fury of artillery,
mortar, and machinegun fire from strongly entrenched hostile positions,
Bush constantly and unhesitatingly moved from 1 casualty to another to
attend the wounded falling under the enemy's murderous barrages. As the
attack passed over a ridge top, Bush was advancing to administer blood
plasma to a marine officer Iying wounded on the skyline when the Japanese
launched a savage counterattack. In this perilously exposed position, he
resolutely maintained the flow of life-giving plasma. With the bottle held
high in 1 hand, Bush drew his pistol with the other and fired into the
enemy's ranks until his ammunition was expended. Quickly seizing a discarded
carbine, he trained his fire on the Japanese charging pointblank over the
hill, accounting for 6 of the enemy despite his own serious wounds and
the loss of 1 eye suffered during his desperate battle in defense of the
helpless man. With the hostile force finally routed, he calmly disregarded
his own critical condition to complete his mission, valiantly refusing
medical treatment for himself until his officer patient had been evacuated,
and collapsing only after attempting to walk to the battle aid station.
His daring initiative, great personal valor, and heroic spirit of self-sacrifice
in service of others reflect great credit upon Bush and enhance the finest
traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.
*BUTTS, JOHN E.
- Rank and organization: Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army, Co. E, 60th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division.
- Place and date: Normandy, France, 14, 16, and 23 June 1944.
- Entered service at: Buffalo, N.Y.
- Birth: Medina, N.Y.
- G.O. No.: 58, 19 July 1945.
- Citation: Heroically led his platoon against the enemy
in Normandy, France, on 14, 16, and 23 June 1944. Although painfully wounded
on the 14th near Orglandes and again on the 16th while spearheading an
attack to establish a bridgehead across the Douve River, he refused medical
aid and remained with his platoon. A week later, near Flottemanville Hague,
he led an assault on a tactically important and stubbornly defended hill
studded with tanks, antitank guns, pillboxes, and machinegun emplacements,
and protected by concentrated artillery and mortar fire. As the attack
was launched, 2d Lt. Butts, at the head of his platoon, was critically
wounded by German machinegun fire. Although weakened by his injuries, he
rallied his men and directed 1 squad to make a flanking movement while
he alone made a frontal assault to draw the hostile fire upon himself.
Once more he was struck, but by grim determination and sheer courage continued
to crawl ahead. When within 10 yards of his objective, he was killed by
direct fire. By his superb courage, unflinching valor and inspiring actions,
2d Lt. Butts enabled his platoon to take a formidable strong point and
contributed greatly to the success of his battalion's mission.
*CADDY, WILLIAM ROBERT
- Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, Company I, 3d Battalion, 26th Marines, 5th Marine Division.
- Place and date: Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 3 March 1945.
- Born: 8 August 1925, Quincy, Mass.
- Accredited to: Massachusetts.
- Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above
and beyond the call of duty while serving as a rifleman with Company I,
3d Battalion, 26th Marines, 5th Marine Division, in action against enemy
Japanese forces during the seizure of Iwo Jima in the Volcano Islands,
3 March 1945. Consistently aggressive, Pfc. Caddy boldly defied shattering
Japanese machinegun and small arms fire to move forward with his platoon
leader and another marine during the determined advance of his company
through an isolated sector and, gaining the comparative safety of a shell
hole, took temporary cover with his comrades. Immediately pinned down by
deadly sniper fire from a well-concealed position, he made several unsuccessful
attempts to again move forward and then, joined by his platoon leader,
engaged the enemy in a fierce exchange of hand grenades until a Japanese
grenade fell beyond reach in the shell hole. Fearlessly disregarding all
personal danger, Pfc. Caddy instantly dived on the deadly missile, absorbing
the exploding charge in his own body and protecting the others from serious
injury. Stouthearted and indomitable, he unhesitatingly yielded his own
life that his fellow marines might carry on the relentless battle against
a fanatic enemy. His dauntless courage and valiant spirit of self-sacrifice
in the face of certain death reflect the highest credit upon Pfc. Caddy
and upon the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his comrades.
*CALLAGHAN, DANIEL JUDSON
- Rank and organization: Rear Admiral, U.S. Navy.
- Off Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, 12-13 November 1942.
- Born: 26 July 1892, San Francisco, Calif.
- Appointed from: California.
- Entered service at: Oakland, Calif.
- Other Navy award: Distinguished Service Medal.
- Citation: For extraordinary
heroism and conspicuous intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty during
action against enemy Japanese forces off Savo Island on the night of 12-13
November 1942. Although out-balanced in strength and numbers by a desperate
and determined enemy, Rear Adm. Callaghan, with ingenious tactical skill
and superb coordination of the units under his command, led his forces
into battle against tremendous odds, thereby contributing decisively to
the rout of a powerful invasion fleet, and to the consequent frustration
of a formidable Japanese offensive. While faithfully directing close-range
operations in the face of furious bombardment by superior enemy fire power,
he was killed on the bridge of his flagship. His courageous initiative,
inspiring leadership, and judicious foresight in a crisis of grave responsibility
were in keeping with the finest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service. He
gallantly gave his life in the defense of his country.
CALUGAS, JOSE
- Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Army, Battery B, 88th Field Artillery, Philippine Scouts.
- Place and date: At Culis, Bataan Province, Philippine Islands, 16 January 1942.
- Entered service at: Fort Stotsenburg, Philippine Islands.
- Born: 29 December 1907, Barrio Tagsing, Leon, Iloilo, Philippine Islands.
- G.O. No.: 10, 24 February 1942.
- Citation: The action for which
the award was made took place near Culis, Bataan Province, Philippine Islands,
on 16 January 1942. A battery gun position was bombed and shelled by the
enemy until 1 gun was put out of commission and all the cannoneers were
killed or wounded. Sgt. Calugas, a mess sergeant of another battery, voluntarily
and without orders ran 1,000 yards across the shell-swept area to the gun
position. There he organized a volunteer squad which placed the gun back
in commission and fired effectively against the enemy, although the position
remained under constant and heavy Japanese artillery fire.
*CANNON, GEORGE HAM
- Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps, Battery H, 6th Defense Battalion.
- Place and date:Sand Island, Midway Islands, 7 December 1941.
- Born: 5 November 1915, Webster Groves, Mo.
- Entered service at: Michigan.
- Citation:
For distinguished conduct in the line of his profession, extraordinary
courage and disregard of his own condition during the bombardment of Sand
Island, Midway Islands, by Japanese forces on 7 December 1941. 1st Lt.
Cannon, Battery Commander of Battery H, 6th Defense Battalion, Fleet Marine
Force, U.S. Marine Corps, was at his command post when he was mortally
wounded by enemy shellfire. He refused to be evacuated from his post until
after his men who had been wounded by the same shell were evacuated, and
directed the reorganization of his command post until forcibly removed.
As a result of his utter disregard of his own condition he died from loss
of blood.
*CAREY, ALVIN P.
- Rank and organization: Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, 38th Infantry, 2-t Infantry Division.
- Place and date: Near Plougastel, Brittany, France, 23 August 1944.
- Entered service at: Laughlinstown, Pa.
- Born: 16 August 1916, Lycippus, Pa.
- G.O. No.: 37, 11 May 1945.
- Citation: For conspicuous gallantry
and intrepidity at the risk of his life, above and beyond the call of duty,
on 23 August 1944. S/Sgt. Carey, leader of a machinegun section, was advancing
with his company in the attack on the strongly held enemy hill 154, near
Plougastel, Brittany, France. The advance was held up when the attacking
units were pinned down by intense enemy machinegun fire from a pillbox
200 yards up the hill. From his position covering the right flank, S/Sgt.
Carey displaced his guns to an advanced position and then, upon his own
initiative, armed himself with as many hand grenades as he could carry
and without regard for his personal safety started alone up the hill toward
the pillbox. Crawling forward under its withering fire, he proceeded 150
yards when he met a German rifleman whom he killed with his carbine. Continuing
his steady forward movement until he reached grenade-throwing distance,
he hurled his grenades at the pillbox opening in the face of intense enemy
fire which wounded him mortally. Undaunted, he gathered his strength and
continued his grenade attack until one entered and exploded within the
pillbox, killing the occupants and putting their guns out of action. Inspired
by S/Sgt. Carey's heroic act, the riflemen quickly occupied the position
and overpowered the remaining enemy resistance in the vicinity.
*CAREY, CHARLES F., JR.
- Rank and organization: Technical Sergeant, U.S. Army, 379th Infantry, 100th Infantry Division.
- Place and date: Rimling, France, 8-9 January 1945.
- Entered service at: Cheyenne, Wyo.
- Birth: Canadian, Okla.
- G.O. No.: 53, July 1945.
- Citation: He was in command of an antitank platoon when about
200 enemy infantrymen and 12 tanks attacked his battalion, overrunning
part of its position. After losing his guns, T/Sgt. Carey, acting entirely
on his own initiative, organized a patrol and rescued 2 of his squads from
a threatened sector, evacuating those who had been wounded. He organized
a second patrol and advanced against an enemy-held house from which vicious
fire issued, preventing the free movement of our troops. Covered by fire
from his patrol, he approached the house, killed 2 snipers with his rifle,
and threw a grenade in the door. He entered alone and a few minutes later
emerged with 16 prisoners. Acting on information he furnished, the American
forces were able to capture an additional 41 Germans in adjacent houses.
He assembled another patrol, and, under covering fire, moved to within
a few yards of an enemy tank and damaged it with a rocket. As the crew
attempted to leave their burning vehicle, he calmly shot them with his
rifle, killing 3 and wounding a fourth. Early in the morning of 9 January,
German infantry moved into the western part of the town and encircled a
house in which T/Sgt. Carey had previously posted a squad. Four of the
group escaped to the attic. By maneuvering an old staircase against the
building, T/Sgt. Carey was able to rescue these men. Later that day, when
attempting to reach an outpost, he was struck down by sniper fire. The
fearless and aggressive leadership of T/Sgt. Carey, his courage in the
face of heavy fire from superior enemy forces, provided an inspiring example
for his comrades and materially helped his battalion to withstand the German
onslaught.
CARR, CHRIS (name legally changed from CHRISTOS H. KARABERIS, under which name the medal was awarded )
- Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company L, 337th Infantry, 85th Infantry Division.
- Place and date: Near Guignola, Italy, 1-2 October 1944.
- Entered service at: Manchester, N.H.
- Birth: Manchester, N.H.
- G.O. No.: 97, 1 November 1945.
- Citation Leading a squad of Company L, he gallantly
cleared the way for his company's approach along a ridge toward its objective,
the Casoni di Remagna. When his platoon was pinned down by heavy fire from
enemy mortars, machineguns, machine pistols, and rifles, he climbed in
advance of his squad on a maneuver around the left flank to locate and
eliminate the enemy gun positions. Undeterred by deadly fire that ricocheted
off the barren rocky hillside, he crept to the rear of the first machinegun
and charged, firing his submachinegun. In this surprise attack he captured
8 prisoners and turned them over to his squad before striking out alone
for a second machinegun. Discovered in his advance and subjected to direct
fire from the hostile weapon, he leaped to his feet and ran forward, weaving
and crouching, pouring automatic fire into the emplacement that killed
4 of its defenders and forced the surrender of a lone survivor. He again
moved forward through heavy fire to attack a third machinegun. When close
to the emplacement, he closed with a nerve-shattering shout and burst of
fire. Paralyzed by his whirlwind attack, all 4 gunners immediately surrendered.
Once more advancing aggressively in the face of a thoroughly alerted enemy,
he approached a point of high ground occupied by 2 machineguns which were
firing on his company on the slope below. Charging the first of these weapons,
he killed 4 of the crew and captured 3 more. The 6 defenders of the adjacent
position, cowed by the savagery of his assault, immediately gave up. By
his l-man attack, heroically and voluntarily undertaken in the face of
tremendous risks, Sgt. Karaberis captured 5 enemy machinegun positions,
killed 8 Germans, took 22 prisoners, cleared the ridge leading to his company's
objective, and drove a deep wedge into the enemy line, making it possible
for his battalion to occupy important, commanding ground.
*CARSWELL, HORACE S., JR. (Air Mission)
- Rank and organization: Major, 308th Bombardment Group, U.S. Army Air Corps.
- Place and date: Over South China Sea, 26 October 1944.
- Entered service at: San Angelo, Tex.
- Birth: Fort Worth, Tex.
- G.O. No.: 14, 4 February 1946.
- Citation: He piloted a B-24 bomber in a one-plane strike against a Japanese
convoy in the South China Sea on the night of 26 October 1944. Taking the
enemy force of 12 ships escorted by at least 2 destroyers by surprise,
he made 1 bombing run at 600 feet, scoring a near miss on 1 warship and
escaping without drawing fire. He circled. and fully realizing that the
convoy was thoroughly alerted and would meet his next attack with a barrage
of antiaircraft fire, began a second low-level run which culminated in
2 direct hits on a large tanker. A hail of steel from Japanese guns, riddled
the bomber, knocking out 2 engines, damaging a third, crippling the hydraulic
system, puncturing 1 gasoline tank, ripping uncounted holes in the aircraft,
and wounding the copilot; but by magnificent display of flying skill, Maj.
Carswell controlled the plane's plunge toward the sea and carefully forced
it into a halting climb in the direction of the China shore. On reaching
land, where it would have been possible to abandon the staggering bomber,
one of the crew discovered that his parachute had been ripped by flak and
rendered useless; the pilot, hoping to cross mountainous terrain and reach
a base. continued onward until the third engine failed. He ordered the
crew to bail out while he struggled to maintain altitude. and, refusing
to save himself, chose to remain with his comrade and attempt a crash landing.
He died when the airplane struck a mountainside and burned. With consummate
gallantry and intrepidity, Maj. Carswell gave his life in a supreme effort
to save all members of his crew. His sacrifice. far beyond that required
of him, was in keeping with the traditional bravery of America's war heroes.
CASAMENTO, ANTHONY
- Rank and organization: Corporal, Company D, First Battalion, Fifth Marines, First Marine Division.
- Place and date: Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, 1 November 1942.
- Entered service at: Brooklyn, New York.
- Date and place of birth: 16 November 1920, Brooklyn, New York.
- Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk
of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with Company
D, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division on Guadalcanal, British
Solomon Islands, in action against the enemy Japanese forces on 1 November
1942. Serving as a leader of a machine gun section, Corporal Casamento
directed his unit to advance along a ridge near the Matanikau River where
they engaged the enemy. He positioned his section to provide covering fire
for two flanking units and to provide direct support for the main force
of his company which was behind him. During the course of this engagement,
all members of his section were either killed or severely wounded and he
himself suffered multiple, grievous wounds. Nonetheless, Corporal Casamento
continued to provide critical supporting fire for the attack and in defense
of his position. Following the loss of all effective personnel, he set
up, loaded, and manned his unit's machine gun. tenaciously holding the
enemy forces at bay. Corporal Casamento single-handedly engaged and destroyed
one machine gun emplacement to his front and took under fire the other
emplacement on the flank. Despite the heat and ferocity of the engagement,
he continued to man his weapon and repeatedly repulsed multiple assaults
by the enemy forces, thereby protecting the flanks of the adjoining companies
and holding his position until the arrival of his main attacking force.
Corporal Casamento's courageous fighting spirit, heroic conduct, and unwavering
dedication to duty reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping
with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval
Service.
*CASTLE, FREDERICK W. (Air Mission)
- Rank and organization: Brigadier General. Assistant Commander, 4th Bomber Wing, U.S. Army Air Corps.
- Place and date: Germany, 24 December 1944.
- Entered service at: Mountain Lake, N.J.
- Born: 14 October 1908, Manila P.I.
- G.O. No. 22, 28 February 1947.
- Citation: He was air commander and leader of
more than 2,000 heavy bombers in a strike against German airfields on 24
December 1944. En route to the target, the failure of 1 engine forced him
to relinquish his place at the head of the formation. In order not to endanger
friendly troops on the ground below, he refused to jettison his bombs to
gain speed maneuverability. His lagging, unescorted aircraft became the
target of numerous enemy fighters which ripped the left wing with cannon
shells. set the oxygen system afire, and wounded 2 members of the crew.
Repeated attacks started fires in 2 engines, leaving the Flying Fortress
in imminent danger of exploding. Realizing the hopelessness of the situation,
the bail-out order was given. Without regard for his personal safety he
gallantly remained alone at the controls to afford all other crewmembers
an opportunity to escape. Still another attack exploded gasoline tanks
in the right wing, and the bomber plunged earthward. carrying Gen. Castle
to his death. His intrepidity and willing sacrifice of his life to save
members of the crew were in keeping with the highest traditions of the
military service.
CHAMBERS, JUSTICE M.
- Rank and organization: Colonel. U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, 3rd Assault Battalion Landing Team. 25th Marines, 4th Marine Division.
- Place and date: Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands. from 19 to 22 February 1945.
- Entered service at: Washington, D.C.
- Born: 2 February 1908, Huntington, W. Va.
- Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above
and beyond the call of duty as commanding officer of the 3d Assault Battalion
Landing Team, 25th Marines, 4th Marine Division, in action against enemy
Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, from 19 to 22 February 1945.
Under a furious barrage of enemy machinegun and small-arms fire from the
commanding cliffs on the right, Col. Chambers (then Lt. Col.) landed immediately
after the initial assault waves of his battalion on D-day to find the momentum
of the assault threatened by heavy casualties from withering Japanese artillery,
mortar rocket, machinegun, and rifle fire. Exposed to relentless hostile
fire, he coolly reorganized his battle-weary men, inspiring them to heroic
efforts by his own valor and leading them in an attack on the critical,
impregnable high ground from which the enemy was pouring an increasing
volume of fire directly onto troops ashore as well as amphibious craft
in succeeding waves. Constantly in the front lines encouraging his men
to push forward against the enemy's savage resistance, Col. Chambers led
the 8-hour battle to carry the flanking ridge top and reduce the enemy's
fields of aimed fire, thus protecting the vital foothold gained. In constant
defiance of hostile fire while reconnoitering the entire regimental combat
team zone of action, he maintained contact with adjacent units and forwarded
vital information to the regimental commander. His zealous fighting spirit
undiminished despite terrific casualties and the loss of most of his key
officers, he again reorganized his troops for renewed attack against the
enemy's main line of resistance and was directing the fire of the rocket
platoon when he fell, critically wounded. Evacuated under heavy Japanese
fire, Col. Chambers, by forceful leadership, courage, and fortitude in
the face of staggering odds, was directly instrumental in insuring the
success of subsequent operations of the 5th Amphibious Corps on Iwo Jima,
thereby sustaining and enhancing the finest traditions of the U.S. Naval
Service.
*CHELI, RALPH (Air Mission)
- Rank and organization: Major, U.S. Army Air Corps.
- Place and date: Near Wewak, New Guinea, 18 August 1943.
- Entered service at: Brooklyn, N.Y.
- Birth: San Francisco, Calif.
- G.O. No.: 72, 28 October 1943.
- Citation: For conspicuous
gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action with
the enemy. While Maj. Cheli was leading his squadron in a dive to attack
the heavily defended Dagua Airdrome, intercepting enemy aircraft centered
their fire on his plane, causing it to burst into flames while still 2
miles from the objective. His speed would have enabled him to gain necessary
altitude to parachute to safety, but this action would have resulted in
his formation becoming disorganized and exposed to the enemy. Although
a crash was inevitable, he courageously elected to continue leading the
attack in his blazing plane. From a minimum altitude, the squadron made
a devastating bombing and strafing attack on the target. The mission completed,
Maj. Cheli instructed his wingman to lead the formation and crashed into
the sea.
CHILDERS, ERNEST
- Rank and organization: Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army, 45th Infantry Division.
- Place and date: At Oliveto, Italy, 22 September 1943.
- Entered service at: Tulsa, Okla.
- Birth: Broken Arrow, Okla.
- G.O. No.: 30, 8 April 1944.
- Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life above and beyond
the call of duty in action on 22 September 1943, at Oliveto, Italy. Although
2d Lt. Childers previously had just suffered a fractured instep he, with
8 enlisted men, advanced up a hill toward enemy machinegun nests. The group
advanced to a rock wall overlooking a cornfield and 2d Lt. Childers ordered
a base of fire laid across the field so that he could advance. When he
was fired upon by 2 enemy snipers from a nearby house he killed both of
them. He moved behind the machinegun nests and killed all occupants of
the nearer one. He continued toward the second one and threw rocks into
it. When the 2 occupants of the nest raised up, he shot 1. The other was
killed by 1 of the 8 enlisted men. 2d Lt. Childers continued his advance
toward a house farther up the hill, and single-handed, captured an enemy
mortar observer. The exceptional leadership, initiative, calmness under
fire, and conspicuous gallantry displayed by 2d Lt. Childers were an inspiration
to his men.
CHOATE, CLYDE L.
- Rank and organization: Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company C, 601st Tank Destroyer Battalion.
- Place and date: Near Bruyeres, France, 25 October 1944.
- Entered service at: Anna, 111.
- Born: 28 June 1920, West Frankfurt, Ill.
- G.O. No.: 75, 5 September 1945.
- Citation: He commanded a tank destroyer
near Bruyeres, France, on 25 October 1944. Our infantry occupied a position
on a wooded hill when, at dusk, an enemy Mark IV tank and a company of
infantry attacked, threatening to overrun the American position and capture
a command post 400 yards to the rear. S/Sgt. Choate's tank destroyer, the
only weapon available to oppose the German armor, was set afire by 2 hits.
Ordering his men to abandon the destroyer, S/Sgt. Choate reached comparative
safety. He returned to the burning destroyer to search for comrades possibly
trapped in the vehicle risking instant death in an explosion which was
imminent and braving enemy fire which ripped his jacket and tore the helmet
from his head. Completing the search and seeing the tank and its supporting
infantry overrunning our infantry in their shallow foxholes, he secured
a bazooka and ran after the tank, dodging from tree to tree and passing
through the enemy's loose skirmish line. He fired a rocket from a distance
of 20 yards, immobilizing the tank but leaving it able to spray the area
with cannon and machinegun fire. Running back to our infantry through vicious
fire, he secured another rocket, and, advancing against a hail of machinegun
and small-arms fire reached a position 10 yards from the tank. His second
shot shattered the turret. With his pistol he killed 2 of the crew as they
emerged from the tank; and then running to the crippled Mark IV while enemy
infantry sniped at him, he dropped a grenade inside the tank and completed
its destruction. With their armor gone, the enemy infantry became disorganized
and was driven back. S/Sgt. Choate's great daring in assaulting an enemy
tank single-handed, his determination to follow the vehicle after it had
passed his position, and his skill and crushing thoroughness in the attack
prevented the enemy from capturing a battalion command post and turned
a probable defeat into a tactical success.
*CHRISTENSEN, DALE ELDON
- Rank and organization: Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army, Troop E, 112th Cavalry Regiment.
- Place and date: Driniumor River, New Guinea, 16-19 July 1944.
- Entered service at: Gray, lowa.
- Birth: Cameron Township, lowa.
- G.O. No.: 36, 10 May 1945.
- Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity
at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty along the Driniumor
River, New Guinea, from 16-19 July 1944. 2d Lt. Christensen repeatedly
distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry above and beyond the call
of duty in the continuous heavy fighting which occurred in this area from
16-19 July. On 16 July, his platoon engaged in a savage fire fight in which
much damage was caused by 1 enemy machinegun effectively placed. 2d Lt.
Christensen ordered his men to remain under cover, crept forward under
fire, and at a range of 15 yards put the gun out of action with hand grenades.
Again, on 19 July, while attacking an enemy position strong in mortars
and machineguns, his platoon was pinned to the ground by intense fire.
Ordering his men to remain under cover, he crept forward alone to locate
definitely the enemy automatic weapons and the best direction from which
to attack. Although his rifle was struck by enemy fire and knocked from
his hands he continued his reconnaissance, located 5 enemy machineguns,
destroyed 1 with hand grenades, and rejoined his platoon. He then led his
men to the point selected for launching the attack and, calling encouragement,
led the charge. This assault was successful and the enemy was driven from
the positions with a loss of 4 mortars and 10 machineguns and leaving many
dead on the field. On 4 August 1944, near Afua, Dutch New Guinea, 2d Lt.
Christensen was killed in action about 2 yards from his objective while
leading his platoon in an attack on an enemy machinegun position. 2d Lt.
Christensen's leadership, intrepidity, and repeatedly demonstrated gallantry
in action at the risk of his life, above and beyond the call of duty, exemplify
the highest traditions of the U.S. Armed Forces.
*CHRISTIAN, HERBERT F.
- Rank and organization: Private, U.S. Army, 15th Infantry, 3d Infantry Division.
- Place and date: Near Valmontone, Italy, 2-3 June 1944.
- Entered service at: Steubenville, Ohio.
- Birth: Byersville, Ohio.
- G.O. No.: 43, 30 May 1945.
- Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk
of life above and beyond the call of duty. On 2-3 June 1944, at 1 a.m.,
Pvt. Christian elected to sacrifice his life in order that his comrades
might extricate themselves from an ambush. Braving massed fire of about
60 riflemen, 3 machineguns, and 3 tanks from positions only 30 yards distant,
he stood erect and signaled to the patrol to withdraw. The whole area was
brightly illuminated by enemy flares. Although his right leg was severed
above the knee by cannon fire, Pvt. Christian advanced on his left knee
and the bloody stump of his right thigh, firing his submachinegun. Despite
excruciating pain, Pvt. Christian continued on his self-assigned mission.
He succeeded in distracting the enemy and enabled his 12 comrades to escape.
He killed 3 enemy soldiers almost at once. Leaving a trail of blood behind
him, he made his way forward 20 yards, halted at a point within 10 yards
of the enemy, and despite intense fire killed a machine-pistol man. Reloading
his weapon, he fired directly into the enemy position. The enemy appeared
enraged at the success of his ruse, concentrated 20-mm. machinegun, machine-pistol
and rifle fire on him, yet he refused to seek cover. Maintaining his erect
position, Pvt. Christian fired his weapon to the very last. Just as he
emptied his submachinegun, the enemy bullets found their mark and Pvt.
Christian slumped forward dead. The courage and spirit of self-sacrifice
displayed by this soldier were an inspiration to his comrades and are in
keeping with the highest traditions of the armed forces.
*CICCHETTI, JOSEPH J.
- Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, Company A, 148th Infantry, 37th Infantry Division.
- Place and date: South Manila, Luzon, Philippine Islands, 9 February 1945.
- Entered service at: Waynesburg, Ohio.
- Birth: Waynesburg, Ohio.
- G.O. No.: 115, 8 December 1945.
- Citation: He was
with troops assaulting the first important line of enemy defenses. The
Japanese had converted the partially destroyed Manila Gas Works and adjacent
buildings into a formidable system of mutually supporting strongpoints
from which they were concentrating machinegun, mortar, and heavy artillery
fire on the American forces. Casualties rapidly mounted, and the medical
aid men, finding it increasingly difficult to evacuate the wounded, called
for volunteer litter bearers. Pfc. Cicchetti immediately responded, organized
a litter team and skillfully led it for more than 4 hours in rescuing 14
wounded men, constantly passing back and forth over a 400-yard route which
was the impact area for a tremendous volume of the most intense enemy fire.
On 1 return trip the path was blocked by machinegun fire, but Pfc. Cicchetti
deliberately exposed himself to draw the automatic fire which he neutralized
with his own rifle while ordering the rest of the team to rush past to
safety with the wounded. While gallantly continuing his work, he noticed
a group of wounded and helpless soldiers some distance away and ran to
their rescue although the enemy fire had increased to new fury. As he approached
the casualties, he was struck in the head by a shell fragment, but with
complete disregard for his gaping wound he continued to his comrades, lifted
1 and carried him on his shoulders 50 yards to safety. He then collapsed
and died. By his skilled leadership, indomitable will, and dauntless courage,
Pfc. Cicchetti saved the lives of many of his fellow soldiers at the cost
of his own.
CLARK, FRANCIS J.
- Rank and organization: Technical Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company K, 109th Infantry, 28th Infantry Division.
- Place and date: Near Kalborn, Luxembourg, 12 September 1944; near Sevenig, Germany, 17 September 1944.
- Entered service at: Salem, N.Y.
- Birth: Whitehall, N.Y.
- G.O. No.: 77, 10 September 1945.
- Citation: He fought gallantly in Luxembourg and Germany. On 12 September
1944, Company K began fording the Our River near Kalborn, Luxembourg, to
take high ground on the opposite bank. Covered by early morning fog, the
3d Platoon, in which T/Sgt. Clark was squad leader, successfully negotiated
the crossing; but when the 2d Platoon reached the shore, withering automatic
and small-arms fire ripped into it, eliminating the platoon leader and
platoon sergeant and pinning down the troops in the open. From his comparatively
safe position, T/Sgt. Clark crawled alone across a field through a hail
of bullets to the stricken troops. He led the platoon to safety and then
unhesitatingly returned into the fire-swept area to rescue a wounded soldier,
carrying him to the American line while hostile gunners tried to cut him
down. Later, he led his squad and men of the 2d Platoon in dangerous sorties
against strong enemy positions to weaken them by lightning-like jabs. He
assaulted an enemy machinegun with hand grenades, killing 2 Germans. He
roamed the front and flanks, dashing toward hostile weapons, killing and
wounding an undetermined number of the enemy, scattering German patrols
and, eventually, forcing the withdrawal of a full company of Germans heavily
armed with automatic weapons. On 17 September, near Sevenig, Germany, he
advanced alone against an enemy machinegun, killed the gunner and forced
the assistant to flee. The Germans counterattacked, and heavy casualties
were suffered by Company K. Seeing that 2 platoons lacked leadership, T/Sgt.
Clark took over their command and moved among the men to give encouragement.
Although wounded on the morning of 18 September, he refused to be evacuated
and took up a position in a pillbox when night came. Emerging at daybreak,
he killed a German soldier setting up a machinegun not more than 5 yards
away. When he located another enemy gun, he moved up unobserved and killed
2 Germans with rifle fire. Later that day he voluntarily braved small-arms
fire to take food and water to members of an isolated platoon. T/Sgt. Clark's
actions in assuming command when leadership was desperately needed, in
launching attacks and beating off counterattacks, in aiding his stranded
comrades, and in fearlessly facing powerful enemy fire, were strikingly
heroic examples and put fighting heart into the hard-pressed men of Company
K.
COLALILLO, MIKE
- Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, Company C, 398th Infantry, 100th Infantry Division.
- Place and date: Near Untergriesheim, Germany, 7 April 1945.
- Entered service at. Duluth, Minn.
- Birth: Hibbing, Minn.
- G.O. No.: 4, 9 January 1946.
- Citation: He was pinned down with other
members of his company during an attack against strong enemy positions
in the vicinity of Untergriesheim, Germany. Heavy artillery, mortar, and
machinegun fire made any move hazardous when he stood up, shouted to the
company to follow, and ran forward in the wake of a supporting tank, firing
his machine pistol. Inspired by his example, his comrades advanced in the
face of savage enemy fire. When his weapon was struck by shrapnel and rendered
useless, he climbed to the deck of a friendly tank, manned an exposed machinegun
on the turret of the vehicle, and, while bullets rattled about him, fired
at an enemy emplacement with such devastating accuracy that he killed or
wounded at least 10 hostile soldiers and destroyed their machinegun. Maintaining
his extremely dangerous post as the tank forged ahead, he blasted 3 more
positions, destroyed another machinegun emplacement and silenced all resistance
in his area, killing at least 3 and wounding an undetermined number of
riflemen as they fled. His machinegun eventually jammed; so he secured
a submachinegun from the tank crew to continue his attack on foot. When
our armored forces exhausted their ammunition and the order to withdraw
was given, he remained behind to help a seriously wounded comrade over
several hundred yards of open terrain rocked by an intense enemy artillery
and mortar barrage. By his intrepidity and inspiring courage Pfc. Colallilo
gave tremendous impetus to his company's attack, killed or wounded 25 of
the enemy in bitter fighting, and assisted a wounded soldier in reaching
the American lines at great risk of his own life.
*COLE, DARRELL SAMUEL
- Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, Machinegun Section of Company B, 1st Battalion, 23d Marines, 4th Marine Division.
- Place and date: Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 19 February 1945.
- Born: 20 July 1920, Flat River, Mo.
- Entered service at. Esther, Mo.
- Other Navy award: Bronze Star Medal.
- Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity
at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving
as leader of a Machinegun Section of Company B, 1st Battalion, 23d Marines, 4th Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces during the
assault on Iwo Jima in the Volcano Islands, 19 February 1945. Assailed
by a tremendous volume of small-arms, mortar and artillery fire as he advanced
with 1 squad of his section in the initial assault wave, Sgt. Cole boldly
led his men up the sloping beach toward Airfield No. 1 despite the blanketing
curtain of flying shrapnel and, personally destroying with hand grenades
2 hostile emplacements which menaced the progress of his unit, continued
to move forward until a merciless barrage of fire emanating from 3 Japanese
pillboxes halted the advance. Instantly placing his 1 remaining machinegun
in action, he delivered a shattering fusillade and succeeded in silencing
the nearest and most threatening emplacement before his weapon jammed and
the enemy, reopening fire with knee mortars and grenades, pinned down his
unit for the second time. Shrewdly gauging the tactical situation and evolving
a daring plan of counterattack, Sgt. Cole, armed solely with a pistol and
1 grenade, coolly advanced alone to the hostile pillboxes. Hurling his
1 grenade at the enemy in sudden, swift attack, he quickly withdrew, returned
to his own lines for additional grenades and again advanced, attacked,
and withdrew. With enemy guns still active, he ran the gauntlet of slashing
fire a third time to complete the total destruction of the Japanese strong
point and the annihilation of the defending garrison in this final assault.
Although instantly killed by an enemy grenade as he returned to his squad,
Sgt. Cole had eliminated a formidable Japanese position, thereby enabling
his company to storm the remaining fortifications, continue the advance,
and seize the objective. By his dauntless initiative, unfaltering courage,
and indomitable determination during a critical period of action, Sgt.
Cole served as an inspiration to his comrades, and his stouthearted leadership
in the face of almost certain death sustained and enhanced the highest
tradition of the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his
country.
*COLE, ROBERT G.
- Rank and organization: Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army, 101st Airborne Division.
- Place and date: Near Carentan, France, 11 June 1944.
- Entered service at: San Antonio, Tex.
- Birth: Fort Sam Houston, Tex.
- G.O. No.: 79, 4 October 1944.
- Citation: For gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of
his own life, above and beyond the call of duty on 11 June 1944, in France.
Lt. Col. Cole was personally leading his battalion in forcing the last
4 bridges on the road to Carentan when his entire unit was suddenly pinned
to the ground by intense and withering enemy rifle, machinegun, mortar,
and artillery fire placed upon them from well-prepared and heavily fortified
positions within 150 yards of the foremost elements. After the devastating
and unceasing enemy fire had for over 1 hour prevented any move and inflicted
numerous casualties, Lt. Col. Cole, observing this almost hopeless situation,
courageously issued orders to assault the enemy positions with fixed bayonets.
With utter disregard for his own safety and completely ignoring the enemy
fire, he rose to his feet in front of his battalion and with drawn pistol
shouted to his men to follow him in the assault. Catching up a fallen man's
rifle and bayonet, he charged on and led the remnants of his battalion
across the bullet-swept open ground and into the enemy position. His heroic
and valiant action in so inspiring his men resulted in the complete establishment
of our bridgehead across the Douve River. The cool fearlessness, personal
bravery, and outstanding leadership displayed by Lt. Col. Cole reflect
great credit upon himself and are worthy of the highest praise in the military
service.
CONNOR, JAMES P.
- Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Army, 7th Infantry, 3d Infantry Division.
- Place and date: Cape Cavalaire, southern France, 15 August 1944.
- Entered service at: Wilmington, Del.
- Birth: Wilmington, Del.
- G.O. No.: 18, 15 March 1945.
- Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity
at risk of life above and beyond the call of duty. On 15 August 1944, Sgt.
Connor, through sheer grit and determination, led his platoon in clearing
an enemy vastly superior in numbers and firepower from strongly entrenched
positions on Cape Cavalaire, removing a grave enemy threat to his division
during the amphibious landing in southern France, and thereby insured safe
and uninterrupted landings for the huge volume of men and materiel which
followed. His battle patrol landed on "Red Beach" with the mission
of destroying the strongly fortified enemy positions on Cape Cavalaire
with utmost speed. From the peninsula the enemy had commanding observation
and seriously menaced the vast landing operations taking place. Though
knocked down and seriously wounded in the neck by a hanging mine which
killed his platoon lieutenant, Sgt. Connor refused medical aid and with
his driving spirit practically carried the platoon across several thousand
yards of mine-saturated beach through intense fire from mortars, 20-mm.
flak guns, machineguns, and snipers. En route to the Cape he personally
shot and killed 2 snipers. The platoon sergeant was killed and Sgt. Connor
became platoon leader. Receiving a second wound, which lacerated his shoulder
and back, he again refused evacuation, expressing determination to carry
on until physically unable to continue. He reassured and prodded the hesitating
men of his decimated platoon forward through almost impregnable mortar
concentrations. Again emphasizing the prevalent urgency of their mission,
he impelled his men toward a group of buildings honeycombed with enemy
snipers and machineguns. Here he received his third grave wound, this time
in the leg, felling him in his tracks. Still resolved to carry on, he relinquished
command only after his attempts proved that it was physically impossible
to stand. Nevertheless, from his prone position, he gave the orders and
directed his men in assaulting the enemy. Infused with Sgt. Connor's dogged
determination, the platoon, though reduced to less than one-third of its
original 36 men, outflanked and rushed the enemy with such furiousness
that they killed 7, captured 40, seized 3 machineguns and considerable
other materiel, and took all their assigned objectives, successfully completing
their mission. By his repeated examples of tenaciousness and indomitable
spirit Sgt Connor transmitted his heroism to his men until they became
a fighting team which could not be stopped.
COOLEY, RAYMOND H.
- Rank and organization: Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company B, 27th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division.
- Place and date: Near Lumboy, Luzon, Philippine Islands, 24 February 1945.
- Entered service at: Richard City, Tenn.
- Born: 7 May 1914, Dunlap, Tenn.
- G.O. No.: 77, 10 September 1945.
- Citation: He
was a platoon guide in an assault on a camouflaged entrenchment defended
by machineguns, rifles, and mortars. When his men were pinned down by 2
enemy machineguns, he voluntarily advanced under heavy fire to within 20
yards of 1 of the guns and attacked it with a hand grenade. The enemy,
however, threw the grenade back at him before it could explode. Arming
a second grenade, he held it for several seconds of the safe period and
then hurled it into the enemy position, where it exploded instantaneously,
destroying the gun and crew. He then moved toward the remaining gun, throwing
grenades into enemy foxholes as he advanced. Inspired by his actions, 1
squad of his platoon joined him. After he had armed another grenade and
was preparing to throw it into the second machinegun position, 6 enemy
soldiers rushed at him. Knowing he could not dispose of the armed grenade
without injuring his comrades, because of the intermingling in close combat
of the men of his platoon and the enemy in the melee which ensued, he deliberately
covered the grenade with his body and was severely wounded as it exploded.
By his heroic actions, S/Sgt. Cooley not only silenced a machinegun and
so inspired his fellow soldiers that they pressed the attack and destroyed
the remaining enemy emplacements, but also, in complete disregard of his
own safety, accepted certain injury and possible loss of life to avoid
wounding his comrades.
COOLIDGE, CHARLES H.
- Rank and organization: Technical Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company M, 141st Infantry, 36th Infantry Division.
- Place and date: East of Belmont sur Buttant, France, 2427 October 1944.
- Entered service at: Signal Mountain, Tenn.
- Birth: Signal Mountain, Tenn.
- G.O. No.: 53, July 1945.
- Citation: Leading a section
of heavy machineguns supported by 1 platoon of Company K, he took a position
near Hill 623, east of Belmont sur Buttant, France, on 24 October 1944,
with the mission of covering the right flank of the 3d Battalion and supporting
its action. T/Sgt. Coolidge went forward with a sergeant of Company K to
reconnoiter positions for coordinating the fires of the light and heavy
machineguns. They ran into an enemy force in the woods estimated to be
an infantry company. T/Sgt. Coolidge, attempting to bluff the Germans by
a show of assurance and boldness called upon them to surrender, whereupon
the enemy opened fire. With his carbine, T/Sgt. Coolidge wounded 2 of them.
There being no officer present with the force, T/Sgt. Coolidge at once
assumed command. Many of the men were replacements recently arrived; this
was their first experience under fire. T/Sgt. Coolidge, unmindful of the
enemy fire delivered at close range, walked along the position, calming
and encouraging his men and directing their fire. The attack was thrown
back. Through 25 and 26 October the enemy launched repeated attacks against
the position of this combat group but each was repulsed due to T/Sgt. Coolidge's
able leadership. On 27 October, German infantry, supported by 2 tanks,
made a determined attack on the position. The area was swept by enemy small
arms, machinegun, and tank fire. T/Sgt. Coolidge armed himself with a bazooka
and advanced to within 25 yards of the tanks. His bazooka failed to function
and he threw it aside. Securing all the hand grenades he could carry, he
crawled forward and inflicted heavy casualties on the advancing enemy.
Finally it became apparent that the enemy, in greatly superior force, supported
by tanks, would overrun the position. T/Sgt. Coolidge, displaying great
coolness and courage, directed and conducted an orderly withdrawal, being
himself the last to leave the position. As a result of T/Sgt. Coolidge's
heroic and superior leadership, the mission of this combat group was accomplished
throughout 4 days of continuous fighting against numerically superior enemy
troops in rain and cold and amid dense woods.
*COURTNEY, HENRY ALEXIUS, JR.
- Rank and organization: Major, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, 2d Battalion, 22d Marines, 6th Marine Division.
- Place and date: Okinawa Shima, Ryukyu Islands, 14 and 15 May 1945.
- Born: 6 January 1916, Duluth, Minn.
- Appointed from: Minnesota.
- Citation: For conspicuous
gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the
call of duty as Executive Officer of the 2d Battalion, 22d Marines, 6th Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa Shima
in the Ryukyu Islands, 14 and 15 May 1945. Ordered to hold for the night
in static defense behind Sugar Loaf Hill after leading the forward elements
of his command in a prolonged fire fight, Maj. Courtney weighed the effect
of a hostile night counterattack against the tactical value of an immediate
marine assault, resolved to initiate the assault, and promptly obtained
permission to advance and seize the forward slope of the hill. Quickly
explaining the situation to his small remaining force, he declared his
personal intention of moving forward and then proceeded on his way, boldly
blasting nearby cave positions and neutralizing enemy guns as he went.
Inspired by his courage, every man followed without hesitation, and together
the intrepid marines braved a terrific concentration of Japanese gunfire
to skirt the hill on the right and reach the reverse slope. Temporarily
halting, Maj. Courtney sent guides to the rear for more ammunition and
possible replacements. Subsequently reinforced by 26 men and an LVT load
of grenades, he determined to storm the crest of the hill and crush any
planned counterattack before it could gain sufficient momentum to effect
a breakthrough. Leading his men by example rather than by command, he pushed
ahead with unrelenting aggressiveness, hurling grenades into cave openings
on the slope with devastating effect. Upon reaching the crest and observing
large numbers of Japanese forming for action less than 100 yards away,
he instantly attacked, waged a furious battle and succeeded in killing
many of the enemy and in forcing the remainder to take cover in the caves.
Determined to hold, he ordered his men to dig in and, coolly disregarding
the continuous hail of flying enemy shrapnel to rally his weary troops,
tirelessly aided casualties and assigned his men to more advantageous positions.
Although instantly killed by a hostile mortar burst while moving among
his men, Maj. Courtney, by his astute military acumen, indomitable leadership
and decisive action in the face of overwhelming odds, had contributed essentially
to the success of the Okinawa campaign. His great personal valor throughout
sustained and enhanced the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.
He gallantly gave his life for his country.
*COWAN, RICHARD ELLER
- Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, Company M, 23d Infantry, 2d Infantry Division.
- Place and date: Near Krinkelter Wald, Belgium, 17 December 1944.
- Entered service at: Wichita, Kans.
- Birth: Lincoln, Nebr.
- G.O. No.: 48, 23 June 1945.
- Citation: He was a heavy machinegunner in a
section attached to Company I in the vicinity of Krinkelter Wald, Belgium,
17 December 1944, when that company was attacked by a numerically superior
force of German infantry and tanks. The first 6 waves of hostile infantrymen
were repulsed with heavy casualties, but a seventh drive with tanks killed
or wounded all but 3 of his section, leaving Pvt. Cowan to man his gun,
supported by only 15 to 20 riflemen of Company I. He maintained his position,
holding off the Germans until the rest of the shattered force had set up
a new line along a firebreak. Then, unaided, he moved his machinegun and
ammunition to the second position. At the approach of a Royal Tiger tank,
he held his fire until about 80 enemy infantrymen supporting the tank appeared
at a distance of about 150 yards. His first burst killed or wounded about
half of these infantrymen. His position was rocked by an 88mm. shell when
the tank opened fire, but he continued to man his gun, pouring deadly fire
into the Germans when they again advanced. He was barely missed by another
shell. Fire from three machineguns and innumerable small arms struck all
about him; an enemy rocket shook him badly, but did not drive him from
his gun. Infiltration by the enemy had by this time made the position untenable,
and the order was given to withdraw. Pvt. Cowan was the last man to leave,
voluntarily covering the withdrawal of his remaining comrades. His heroic
actions were entirely responsible for allowing the remaining men to retire
successfully from the scene of their last-ditch stand.
CRAFT, CLARENCE B.
- Rank and organization: Private, First Class, U.S. Army, Company G, 382d Infantry, 96th Infantry Division.
- Place and date: Hen Hill, Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, 31 May 1945.
- Entered service at: Santa Ana, Calif.
- Birth: San Bernardino, Calif.
- G.O. No.: 97, 1 November 1945.
- Citation: He was a rifleman
when his platoon spearheaded an attack on Hen Hill, the tactical position
on which the entire Naha-Shuri-Yonaburu line of Japanese defense on Okinawa,
Ryukyu Islands, was hinged. For 12 days our forces had been stalled, and
repeated, heavy assaults by 1 battalion and then another had been thrown
back by the enemy with serious casualties. With 5 comrades, Pfc. Craft
was dispatched in advance of Company G to feel out the enemy resistance.
The group had proceeded only a short distance up the slope when rifle and
machinegun fire, coupled with a terrific barrage of grenades, wounded 3
and pinned down the others. Against odds that appeared suicidal, Pfc. Craft
launched a remarkable 1-man attack. He stood up in full view of the enemy
and began shooting with deadly marksmanship wherever he saw a hostile movement.
He steadily advanced up the hill, killing Japanese soldiers with rapid
fire, driving others to cover in their strongly disposed trenches, unhesitatingly
facing alone the strength that had previously beaten back attacks in battalion
strength. He reached the crest of the hill, where he stood silhouetted
against the sky while quickly throwing grenades at extremely short range
into the enemy positions. His extraordinary assault lifted the pressure
from his company for the moment, allowing members of his platoon to comply
with his motions to advance and pass him more grenades. With a chain of
his comrades supplying him while he stood atop the hill, he furiously hurled
a total of 2 cases of grenades into a main trench and other positions on
the reverse slope of Hen Hill, meanwhile directing the aim of his fellow
soldiers who threw grenades from the slope below him. He left his position,
where grenades from both sides were passing over his head and bursting
on either slope, to attack the main enemy trench as confusion and panic
seized the defenders. Straddling the excavation, he pumped rifle fire into
the Japanese at pointblank range, killing many and causing the others to
flee down the trench. Pursuing them, he came upon a heavy machinegun which
was still creating havoc in the American ranks. With rifle fire and a grenade
he wiped out this position. By this time the Japanese were in complete
rout and American forces were swarming over the hill. Pfc. Craft continued
down the central trench to the mouth of a cave where many of the enemy
had taken cover. A satchel charge was brought to him, and he tossed it
into the cave. It failed to explode. With great daring, the intrepid fighter
retrieved the charge from the cave, relighted the fuse and threw it back,
sealing up the Japs in a tomb. In the local action, against tremendously
superior forces heavily armed with rifles, machineguns, mortars, and grenades,
Pfc. Craft killed at least 25 of the enemy; but his contribution to the
campaign on Okinawa was of much more far-reaching consequence for Hen Hill
was the key to the entire defense line, which rapidly crumbled after his
utterly fearless and heroic attack.
*CRAIG, ROBERT
- Rank and organization: Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army, 15th Infantry, 3d Infantry Division.
- Place and date: Near Favoratta, Sicily, 11 July 1943.
- Entered service at: Toledo, Ohio.
- Birth: Scotland.
- G.O. No.: 41, 26 May 1944.
- Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of
life, above and beyond the call of duty, on 11 July 1943 at Favoratta,
Sicily. 2d Lt. Craig voluntarily undertook the perilous task of locating
and destroying a hidden enemy machinegun which had halted the advance of
his company. Attempts by 3 other officers to locate the weapon had resulted
in failure, with each officer receiving wounds. 2d Lt. Craig located the
gun and snaked his way to a point within 35 yards of the hostile position
before being discovered. Charging headlong into the furious automatic fire,
he reached the gun, stood over it, and killed the 3 crew members with his
carbine. With this obstacle removed, his company continued its advance.
Shortly thereafter while advancing down the forward slope of a ridge, 2d
Lt. Craig and his platoon, in a position devoid of cover and concealment,
encountered the fire of approximately 100 enemy soldiers. Electing to sacrifice
himself so that his platoon might carry on the battle, he ordered his men
to withdraw to the cover of the crest while he drew the enemy fire to himself.
With no hope of survival, he charged toward the enemy until he was within
25 yards of them. Assuming a kneeling position, he killed 5 and wounded
3 enemy soldiers. While the hostile force concentrated fire on him, his
platoon reached the cover of the crest. 2d Lt. Craig was killed by enemy
fire, but his intrepid action so inspired his men that they drove the enemy
from the area, inflicting heavy casualties on the hostile force.
*CRAIN, MORRIS E.
- Rank and organization: Technical Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company E, 141st Infantry, 36th Infantry Division.
- Place and date: Haguenau, France, 13 March 1945.
- Entered service at: Paducah, Ky.
- Birth: Bandana, Ky.
- G.O. No.: 18, 13 February 1946.
- Citation: He led his platoon against powerful German
forces during the struggle to enlarge the bridgehead across the Moder River.
With great daring and aggressiveness he spearheaded the platoon in killing
10 enemy soldiers, capturing 12 more and securing its objective near an
important road junction. Although heavy concentrations of artillery, mortar,
and self-propelled gunfire raked the area, he moved about among his men
during the day, exhorting them to great efforts and encouraging them to
stand firm. He carried ammunition and maintained contact with the company
command post, exposing himself to deadly enemy fire. At nightfall the enemy
barrage became more intense and tanks entered the fray to cover foot troops
while they bombarded our positions with grenades and rockets. As buildings
were blasted by the Germans, the Americans fell back from house to house.
T/Sgt. Crain deployed another platoon which had been sent to his support
and then rushed through murderous tank and small-arms fire to the foremost
house, which was being defended by 5 of his men. With the enemy attacking
from an adjoining room and a tank firing pointblank at the house, he ordered
the men to withdraw while he remained in the face of almost certain death
to hold the position. Although shells were crashing through the walls and
bullets were hitting all around him, he held his ground and with accurate
fire from his submachinegun killed 3 Germans. He was killed when the building
was destroyed by the enemy. T/Sgt. Crain's outstanding valor and intrepid
leadership enabled his platoon to organize a new defense, repel the attack
and preserve the hard-won bridgehead.
*CRAW, DEMAS T.
- Rank and organization: Colonel, U.S. Army Air Corps.
- Place and date: Near Port Lyautey, French Morocco, 8 November 1942.
- Entered service at: Michigan.
- Born: 9 April 1900, Traverse City, Mich.
- G.O. No.: 11, 4 March 1943.
- Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action above
and beyond the call of duty. On 8 November 1942, near Port Lyautey, French
Morocco, Col. Craw volunteered to accompany the leading wave of assault
boats to the shore and pass through the enemy lines to locate the French
commander with a view to suspending hostilities. This request was first
refused as being too dangerous but upon the officer's ins1stence that he
was qualified to undertake and accomplish the mission he was allowed to
go. Encountering heavy fire while in the landing boat and unable to dock
in the river because of shell fire from shore batteries, Col. Craw, accompanied
by 1 officer and 1 soldier, succeeded in landing on the beach at Mehdia
Plage under constant low-level strafing from 3 enemy planes. Riding in
a bantam truck toward French headquarters, progress of the party was hindered
by fire from our own naval guns. Nearing Port Lyautey, Col. Craw was instantly
killed by a sustained burst of machinegun fire at pointblank range from
a concealed position near the road.
CRAWFORD, WILLIAM J.
- Rank and organization: Private, U.S. Army, 36th Infantry Division.
- Place and date: Near Altavilla, Italy, 13 September 1943.
- Entered service at: Pueblo, Colo.
- Birth: Pueblo, Colo.
- G.O. No.: 57, 20 July 1944.
- Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life above and beyond
the call of duty in action with the enemy near Altavilla, Italy, 13 September
1943. When Company I attacked an enemy-held position on Hill 424, the 3d
Platoon, in which Pvt. Crawford was a squad scout, attacked as base platoon
for the company. After reaching the crest of the hill, the platoon was
pinned down by intense enemy machinegun and small-arms fire. Locating 1
of these guns, which was dug in on a terrace on his immediate front, Pvt.
Crawford, without orders and on his own initiative, moved over the hill
under enemy fire to a point within a few yards of the gun emplacement and
single-handedly destroyed the machinegun and killed 3 of the crew with
a hand grenade, thus enabling his platoon to continue its advance. When
the platoon, after reaching the crest, was once more delayed by enemy fire,
Pvt. Crawford again, in the face of intense fire, advanced directly to
the front midway between 2 hostile machinegun nests located on a higher
terrace and emplaced in a small ravine. Moving first to the left, with
a hand grenade he destroyed 1 gun emplacement and killed the crew; he then
worked his way, under continuous fire, to the other and with 1 grenade
and the use of his rifle, killed 1 enemy and forced the remainder to flee.
Seizing the enemy machinegun, he fired on the withdrawing Germans and facilitated
his company's advance.
CREWS, JOHN R.
- Rank and organization: Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company F, 253d Infantry, 63d Infantry Division.
- Place and date: Near Lobenbacherhof, Germany, 8 April 1945.
- Entered service at: Bowlegs, Okla.
- Birth: Golden, Okla.
- Citation:
He displayed conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life
above and beyond the call of duty on 8 April 1945 near Lobenbacherhof,
Germany. As his company was advancing toward the village under heavy fire,
an enemy machinegun and automatic rifle with rifle support opened upon
it from a hill on the right flank. Seeing that his platoon leader had been
wounded by their fire, S/Sgt. Crews, acting on his own initiative, rushed
the strongpoint with 2 men of his platoon. Despite the fact that 1 of these
men was killed and the other was badly wounded, he continued his advance
up the hill in the face of terrific enemy fire. Storming the well-dug-in
position single-handedly, he killed 2 of the crew of the machinegun at
pointblank range with his M 1 rifle and wrested the gun from the hands
of the German whom he had already wounded. He then with his rifle charged
the strongly emplaced automatic rifle. Although badly wounded in the thigh
by crossfire from the remaining enemy, he kept on and silenced the entire
position with his accurate and deadly rifle fire. His actions so unnerved
the remaining enemy soldiers that 7 of them surrendered and the others
fled. His heroism caused the enemy to concentrate on him and permitted
the company to move forward into the village.
*CROMWELL, JOHN PHILIP
- Rank and organization: Captain, U.S. Navy.
- Place and date: Off Truk Island, 19 November 1943.
- Born: 11 September 1901, Henry, Ill.
- Appointed from: Illinois.
- Other Navy award: Legion of Merit.
- Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his
life above and beyond the call of duty as Commander of a Submarine Coordinated
Attack Group with Flag in the U.S.S. Sculpin, during the 9th War Patrol
of that vessel in enemy-controlled waters off Truk Island, 19 November
1943. Undertaking this patrol prior to the launching of our first large-scale
offensive in the Pacific, Capt. Cromwell, alone of the entire Task Group,
possessed secret intelligence information of our submarine strategy and
tactics, scheduled Fleet movements and specific attack plans. Constantly
vigilant and precise in carrying out his secret orders, he moved his underseas
flotilla inexorably forward despite savage opposition and established a
line of submarines to southeastward of the main Japanese stronghold at
Truk. Cool and undaunted as the submarine, rocked and battered by Japanese
depth charges, sustained terrific battle damage and sank to an excessive
depth, he authorized the Sculpin to surface and engage the enemy in a gunfight,
thereby providing an opportunity for the crew to abandon ship. Determined
to sacrifice himself rather than risk capture and subsequent danger of
revealing plans under Japanese torture or use of drugs, he stoically remained
aboard the mortally wounded vessel as she plunged to her death. Preserving
the security of his mission, at the cost of his own life, he had served
his country as he had served the Navy, with deep integrity and an uncompromising
devotion to duty. His great moral courage in the face of certain death
adds new luster to the traditions of the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly
gave his life for his country.
CURREY, FRANCIS S.
- Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company K, 120th Infantry, 30th Infantry Division.
- Place and date: Malmedy, Belgium, 21 December 1944.
- Entered service at: Hurleyville, N.Y.
- Birth: Loch Sheldrake, N.Y.
- G.O. No.: 69, 17 August 1945.
- Citation: He was an automatic rifleman with the
3d Platoon defending a strong point near Malmedy, Belgium, on 21 December
1944, when the enemy launched a powerful attack. Overrunning tank destroyers
and antitank guns located near the strong point, German tanks advanced
to the 3d Platoon's position, and, after prolonged fighting, forced the
withdrawal of this group to a nearby factory. Sgt. Currey found a bazooka
in the building and crossed the street to secure rockets meanwhile enduring
intense fire from enemy tanks and hostile infantrymen who had taken up
a position at a house a short distance away. In the face of small-arms,
machinegun, and artillery fire, he, with a companion, knocked out a tank
with 1 shot. Moving to another position, he observed 3 Germans in the doorway
of an enemy-held house. He killed or wounded all 3 with his automatic rifle.
He emerged from cover and advanced alone to within 50 yards of the house,
intent on wrecking it with rockets. Covered by friendly fire, he stood
erect, and fired a shot which knocked down half of 1 wall. While in this
forward position, he observed 5 Americans who had been pinned down for
hours by fire from the house and 3 tanks. Realizing that they could not
escape until the enemy tank and infantry guns had been silenced, Sgt. Currey
crossed the street to a vehicle, where he procured an armful of antitank
grenades. These he launched while under heavy enemy fire, driving the tankmen
from the vehicles into the house. He then climbed onto a half-track in
full view of the Germans and fired a machinegun at the house. Once again
changing his position, he manned another machinegun whose crew had been
killed; under his covering fire the 5 soldiers were able to retire to safety.
Deprived of tanks and with heavy infantry casualties, the enemy was forced
to withdraw. Through his extensive knowledge of weapons and by his heroic
and repeated braving of murderous enemy fire, Sgt. Currey was greatly responsible
for inflicting heavy losses in men and material on the enemy, for rescuing
5 comrades, 2 of whom were wounded, and for stemming an attack which threatened
to flank his battalion's position.
DAHLGREN, EDWARD C.
- Rank and organization: Second Lieutenant (then Sergeant), U.S. Army, Company E, 142d Infantry, 36th Infantry Division.
- Place and date: Oberhoffen, France, 11 February 1945.
- Entered service at: Portland, Maine.
- Birth: Perham, Maine.
- G.O. No.: 77, 10 September 1945.
- Citation: He led the 3d Platoon
to the rescue of a similar unit which had been surrounded in an enemy counterattack
at Oberhoffen, France. As he advanced along a street, he observed several
Germans crossing a field about 100 yards away. Running into a barn, he
took up a position in a window and swept the hostile troops with submachine
gun fire, killing 6, wounding others, and completely disorganizing the
group. His platoon then moved forward through intermittent sniper fire
and made contact with the besieged Americans. When the 2 platoons had been
reorganized, Sgt. Dahlgren continued to advance along the street until
he drew fire from an enemy-held house. In the face of machine pistol and
rifle fire, he ran toward the building, hurled a grenade through the door,
and blasted his way inside with his gun. This aggressive attack so rattled
the Germans that all 8 men who held the strongpoint immediately surrendered.
As Sgt. Dahlgren started toward the next house, hostile machinegun fire
drove him to cover. He secured rifle grenades, stepped to an exposed position,
and calmly launched his missiles from a difficult angle until he had destroyed
the machinegun and killed its 2 operators. He moved to the rear of the
house and suddenly came under the fire of a machinegun emplaced in a barn.
Throwing a grenade into the structure, he rushed the position, firing his
weapon as he ran; within, he overwhelmed 5 Germans. After reorganizing
his unit he advanced to clear hostile riflemen from the building where
he had destroyed the machinegun. He entered the house by a window and trapped
the Germans in the cellar, where he tossed grenades into their midst, wounding
several and forcing 10 more to surrender. While reconnoitering another
street with a comrade, he heard German voices in a house. An attack with
rifle grenades drove the hostile troops to the cellar. Sgt. Dahlgren entered
the building, kicked open the cellar door, and, firing several bursts down
the stairway, called for the trapped enemy to surrender. Sixteen soldiers
filed out with their hands in the air. The bold leadership and magnificent
courage displayed by Sgt. Dahlgren in his heroic attacks were in a large
measure responsible for repulsing an enemy counterattack and saving an
American platoon from great danger.
DALESSONDRO, PETER J.
- Rank and organization: Technical Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company E, 39th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division.
- Place and date: Near Kalterherberg, Germany, 22 December 1944.
- Entered service at: Watervliet, N.Y.
- Born: 19 May 1918, Watervliet, N.Y.
- G.O. No.: 73, 30 August, 1945.
- Citation: He was with the
1st Platoon holding an important road junction on high ground near Kalterherberg,
Germany, on 22 December 1944. In the early morning hours, the enemy after
laying down an intense artillery and mortar barrage, followed through with
an all-out attack that threatened to overwhelm the position. T/Sgt. Dalessondro,
seeing that his men were becoming disorganized, braved the intense fire
to move among them with words of encouragement. Advancing to a fully exposed
observation post, he adjusted mortar fire upon the attackers, meanwhile
firing upon them with his rifle and encouraging his men in halting and
repulsing the attack. Later in the day the enemy launched a second determined
attack. Once again, T/Sgt. Dalessondro, in the face of imminent death,
rushed to his forward position and immediately called for mortar fire.
After exhausting his rifle ammunition, he crawled 30 yards over exposed
ground to secure a light machinegun, returned to his position, and fired
upon the enemy at almost pointblank range until the gun jammed. He managed
to get the gun to fire 1 more burst, which used up his last round, but
with these bullets he killed 4 German soldiers who were on the verge of
murdering an aid man and 2 wounded soldiers in a nearby foxhole. When the
enemy had almost surrounded him, he remained alone, steadfastly facing
almost certain death or capture, hurling grenades and calling for mortar
fire closer and closer to his outpost as he covered the withdrawal of his
platoon to a second line of defense. As the German hordes swarmed about
him, he was last heard calling for a barrage, saying, "OK, mortars,
let me have it--right in this position!" The gallantry and intrepidity
shown by T/Sgt. Dalessondro against an overwhelming enemy attack saved
his company from complete rout.
DALY, MICHAEL J.
- Rank and organization: Captain (then Lieutenant), U.S. Army, Company A, 15th Infantry, 3d Infantry Division.
- Place and date: Nuremberg, Germany, 18 April 1945.
- Entered service at: Southport, Conn.
- Born: 15 September 1924, New York, N.Y.
- G.O. No.: 77, 10 September 1945.
- Citation: Early in
the morning of 18 April 1945, he led his company through the shell-battered,
sniper-infested wreckage of Nuremberg, Germany. When bl1stering machinegun
fire caught his unit in an exposed position, he ordered his men to take
cover, dashed forward alone, and, as bullets whined about him, shot the
3-man guncrew with his carbine. Continuing the advance at the head of his
company, he located an enemy patrol armed with rocket launchers which threatened
friendly armor. He again went forward alone, secured a vantage point and
opened fire on the Germans. Immediately he became the target for concentrated
machine pistol and rocket fire, which blasted the rubble about him. Calmly,
he continued to shoot at the patrol until he had killed all 6 enemy infantrymen.
Continuing boldly far in front of his company, he entered a park, where
as his men advanced, a German machinegun opened up on them without warning.
With his carbine, he killed the gunner; and then, from a completely exposed
position, he directed machinegun fire on the remainder of the crew until
all were dead. In a final duel, he wiped out a third machinegun emplacement
with rifle fire at a range of 10 yards. By fearlessly engaging in 4 single-handed
fire fights with a desperate, powerfully armed enemy, Lt. Daly, voluntarily
taking all major risks himself and protecting his men at every opportunity,
killed 15 Germans, silenced 3 enemy machineguns and wiped out an entire
enemy patrol. His heroism during the lone bitter struggle with fanatical
enemy forces was an inspiration to the valiant Americans who took Nuremberg.
*DAMATO, ANTHONY PETER
- Rank and organization: Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps.
- Place and date: Engebi Island, Eniwetok Atoll, Marshall Islands, 19-20 February 1944.
- Born: 28 March 1922, Shenandoah, Pa.
- Accredited to: Pennsylvania.
- Citation: For conspicuous
gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the
call of duty while serving with an assault company in action against enemy
Japanese forces on Engebi Island, Eniwetok Atoll, Marshall Islands, on
the night of 1920 February 1944. Highly vulnerable to sudden attack by
small, fanatical groups of Japanese still at large despite the efficient
and determined efforts of our forces to clear the area, Cpl. Damato lay
with 2 comrades in a large foxhole in his company's defense perimeter which
had been dangerously thinned by the forced withdrawal of nearly half of
the available men. When 1 of the enemy approached the foxhole undetected
and threw in a hand grenade, Cpl. Damato desperately groped for it in the
darkness. Realizing the imminent peril to all 3 and fully aware of the
consequences of his act, he unhesitatingly flung himself on the grenade
and, although instantly killed as his body absorbed the explosion, saved
the lives of his 2 companions. Cpl. Damato's splendid initiative, fearless
conduct and valiant sacrifice reflect great credit upon himself and the
U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his comrades.
*DAVID, ALBERT LEROY
- Rank and organization: Lieutenant, Junior Grade, U.S. Navy, U.S.S. Pillsbury.
- Place and date: Off French West Africa, 4 June 1944.
- Born: 18 July 1902, Maryville, Mo.
- Accredited to: Missouri.
- Other Navy award: Navy Cross with gold star.
- Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity
at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while attached
to the U.S.S. Pillsbury during the capture of an enemy German submarine
off French West Africa, 4 June 1944. Taking a vigorous part in the skillfully
coordinated attack on the German U-505 which climaxed a prolonged search
by the Task Group, Lt. (then Lt. j.g.) David boldly led a party from the
Pillsbury in boarding the hostile submarine as it circled erratically at
5 or 6 knots on the surface. Fully aware that the U-boat might momentarily
sink or be blown up by exploding demolition and scuttling charges, he braved
the added danger of enemy gunfire to plunge through the conning tower hatch
and, with his small party, exerted every effort to keep the ship afloat
and to ass1st the succeeding and more fully equipped salvage parties in
making the U-505 seaworthy for the long tow across the Atlantic to a U.S.
port. By his valiant service during the first successful boarding and capture
of an enemy man-o-war on the high seas by the U.S. Navy since 1815, Lt.
David contributed materially to the effectiveness of our Battle of the
Atlantic and upheld the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.
DAVIS, CHARLES W.
- Rank and organization: Major, U.S. Army, 25th Infantry Division.
- Place and date: Guadalcanal Island, 12 January 1943.
- Entered service at: Montgomery, Ala.
- Birth: Gordo, Ala.
- G.O. No.: 40, 17 July 1943.
- Citation: For d1stinguishing
himself conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life
above and beyond the call of duty in action with the enemy on Guadalcanal
Island. On 12 January 1943, Maj. Davis (then Capt.), executive officer
of an infantry battalion, volunteered to carry instructions to the leading
companies of his battalion which had been caught in crossfire from Japanese
machineguns. With complete disregard for his own safety, he made his way
to the trapped units, delivered the instructions, supervised their execution,
and remained overnight in this exposed position. On the following day,
Maj. Davis again volunteered to lead an assault on the Japanese position
which was holding up the advance. When his rifle jammed at its first shot,
he drew his pistol and, waving his men on, led the assault over the top
of the hill. Electrified by this action, another body of soldiers followed
and seized the hill. The capture of this position broke Japanese resistance
and the battalion was then able to proceed and secure the corps objective.
The courage and leadership displayed by Maj. Davis inspired the entire
battalion and unquestionably led to the success of its attack.
*DAVIS, GEORGE FLEMING
- Rank and organization: Commander, U.S. Navy, U.S.S. Walke.
- Place and date: Lingayen Gulf, Luzon, Philippine Islands, 6 January 1945.
- Born: 23 March 1911, Manila, Philippine Islands.
- Accredited to: Philippine Islands.
- Other Navy awards: Silver Star Medal, Legion of Merit.
- Citation: For conspicuous gallantry
and intrepidity at the risk of his life and beyond the call of duty as
Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. Walke engaged in a detached mission in
support of minesweeping operations to clear the waters for entry of our
heavy surface and amphibious forces preparatory to the invasion of Lingayen
Gulf, Luzon, Philippine Islands, 6 January 1945. Operating without gun
support of other surface ships when 4 Japanese suicide planes were detected
flying low overland to attack simultaneously, Comdr. Davis boldly took
his position in the exposed wings of the bridge and directed control to
pick up the leading plane and open fire. Alert and fearless as the Walke's
deadly fire sent the first target crashing into the water and caught the
second as it passed close over the bridge to plunge into the sea of portside,
he remained steadfast in the path of the third plane plunging swiftly to
crash the after end of the bridge structure. Seriously wounded when the
craft struck, drenched with gasoline and immediately enveloped in flames,
he conned the Walke in the midst of the wreckage; he rallied his command
to heroic efforts; he exhorted his officers and men to save the ship and,
still on his feet, saw the barrage from his guns destroy the fourth suicide
bomber. With the fires under control and the safety of the ship assured,
he consented to be carried below. Succumbing several hours later, Comdr.
Davis by his example of valor and his unhesitating self-sacrifice, steeled
the fighting spirit of his command into unyielding purpose in completing
a vital mission. He gallantly gave his life in the service of his country.
*DEALEY, SAMUEL DAVID
- Rank and organization: Commander, U.S. Navy, U.S.S. Harder.
- Place and date: Off Tawi Tawi, Sulu Archipelago, 6-7 June 1944
- Born: 13 September 1906, Dallas, Tex.
- Appointed from: Texas.
- Other Navy awards: Navy Cross with 3 Gold Stars, Silver Star Medal.
- Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and
intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as
Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. Harder during her 5th War Patrol in Japanese-controlled
waters. Floodlighted by a bright moon and disclosed to an enemy destroyer
escort which bore down with intent to attack, Comdr. Dealey quickly dived
to periscope depth and waited for the pursuer to close range, then opened
fire, sending the target and all aboard down in flames with his third torpedo.
Plunging deep to avoid fierce depth charges, he again surfaced and, within
9 minutes after sighting another destroyer, had sent the enemy down tail
first with a hit directly amidship. Evading detection, he penetrated the
confined waters off Tawi Tawi with the Japanese Fleet base 6 miles away
and scored death blows on 2 patrolling destroyers in quick succession.
With his ship heeled over by concussion from the first exploding target
and the second vessel nose-diving in a blinding detonation, he cleared
the area at high speed. Sighted by a large hostile fleet force on the following
day, he swung his bow toward the lead destroyer for another "down-the-throat"
shot, fired 3 bow tubes and promptly crash-dived to be terrifically rocked
seconds later by the exploding ship as the Harder passed beneath. This
remarkable record of 5 vital Japanese destroyers sunk in 5 short-range
torpedo attacks attests the valiant fighting spirit of Comdr. Dealey and
his indomitable command.
DEBLANC, JEFFERSON JOSEPH
- Rank and Organization: Captain, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, VMF-112.
- Place and date: Off Kolombangara Island in the Solomons group, 31 January 1943.
- Entered service at: Louisiana.
- Born: 15 February 1921, Lockport, La.
- Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the
risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as leader of a section
of 6 fighter planes in Marine Fighting Squadron 112, during aerial operations
against enemy Japanese forces off Kolombangara Island in the Solomons group,
31 January 1943. Taking off with his section as escort for a strike force
of dive bombers and torpedo planes ordered to attack Japanese surface vessels,
1st Lt. DeBlanc led his flight directly to the target area where, at 14,000
feet, our strike force encountered a large number of Japanese Zeros protecting
the enemy's surface craft. In company with the other fighters, 1st Lt.
DeBlanc instantly engaged the hostile planes and aggressively countered
their repeated attempts to drive off our bombers, persevering in his efforts
to protect the diving planes and waging fierce combat until, picking up
a call for assistance from the dive bombers, under attack by enemy float
planes at 1,000 feet, he broke off his engagement with the Zeros, plunged
into the formation of float planes and disrupted the savage attack, enabling
our dive bombers and torpedo planes to complete their runs on the Japanese
surface disposition and withdraw without further incident. Although his
escort mission was fulfilled upon the safe retirement of the bombers, 1st
Lt. DeBlanc courageously remained on the scene despite a rapidly diminishing
fuel supply and, boldly challenging the enemy's superior number of float
planes, fought a valiant battle against terrific odds, seizing the tactical
advantage and striking repeatedly to destroy 3 of the hostile aircraft
and to disperse the remainder. Prepared to maneuver his damaged plane back
to base, he had climbed aloft and set his course when he discovered 2 Zeros
closing in behind. Undaunted, he opened fire and blasted both Zeros from
the sky in a short, bitterly fought action which resulted in such hopeless
damage to his own plane that he was forced to bail out at a perilously
low altitude atop the trees on enemy-held Kolombangara. A gallant officer,
a superb airman, and an indomitable fighter, 1st Lt. DeBlanc had rendered
decisive assistance during a critical stage of operations, and his unwavering
fortitude in the face of overwhelming opposition reflects the highest credit
upon himself and adds new luster to the traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.
*DEFRANZO, ARTHUR F.
- Rank and organization: Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, 1st Infantry Division.
- Place and date: Near Vaubadon, France, 10 June 1944.
- Entered service at: Saugus, Mass.
- Birth: Saugus, Mass.
- G.O. No.: 1, 4 January 1945.
- Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life, above
and beyond the call of duty, on 10 June 1944, near Vaubadon, France. As
scouts were advancing across an open field, the enemy suddenly opened fire
with several machineguns and hit 1 of the men. S/Sgt. DeFranzo courageously
moved out in the open to the aid of the wounded scout and was himself wounded
but brought the man to safety. Refusing aid, S/Sgt. DeFranzo reentered
the open field and led the advance upon the enemy. There were always at
least 2 machineguns bringing unrelenting fire upon him, but S/Sgt. DeFranzo
kept going forward, firing into the enemy and 1 by 1 the enemy emplacements
became silent. While advancing he was again wounded, but continued on until
he was within 100 yards of the enemy position and even as he fell, he kept
firing his rifle and waving his men forward. When his company came up behind
him, S/Sgt. DeFranzo, despite his many severe wounds, suddenly raised himself
and once more moved forward in the lead of his men until he was again hit
by enemy fire. In a final gesture of indomitable courage, he threw several
grenades at the enemy machinegun position and completely destroyed the
gun. In this action, S/Sgt. DeFranzo lost his life, but by bearing the
brunt of the enemy fire in leading the attack, he prevented a delay in
the assault which would have been of considerable benefit to the foe, and
he made possible his company's advance with a minimum of casualties. The
extraordinary heroism and magnificent devotion to duty displayed by S/Sgt.
DeFranzo was a great inspiration to all about him, and is in keeping with
the highest traditions of the armed forces.
*DEGLOPPER, CHARLES N.
- Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, Co. C, 325th Glider Infantry, 82d Airborne Division.
- Place and date: Merderet River at la Fiere, France, 9 June 1944.
- Entered service at: Grand Island, N.Y.
- Birth: Grand Island, N.Y.
- G.O. No.: 22, 28 February 1946.
- Citation: He
was a member of Company C, 325th Glider Infantry, on 9 June 1944 advancing
with the forward platoon to secure a bridgehead across the Merderet River
at La Fiere, France. At dawn the platoon had penetrated an outer line of
machineguns and riflemen, but in so doing had become cut off from the rest
of the company. Vastly superior forces began a decimation of the stricken
unit and put in motion a flanking maneuver which would have completely
exposed the American platoon in a shallow roadside ditch where it had taken
cover. Detecting this danger, Pfc. DeGlopper volunteered to support his
comrades by fire from his automatic rifle while they attempted a withdrawal
through a break in a hedgerow 40 yards to the rear. Scorning a concentration
of enemy automatic weapons and rifle fire, he walked from the ditch onto
the road in full view of the Germans, and sprayed the hostile positions
with assault fire. He was wounded, but he continued firing. Struck again,
he started to fall; and yet his grim determination and valiant fighting
spirit could not be broken. Kneeling in the roadway, weakened by his grievous
wounds, he leveled his heavy weapon against the enemy and fired burst after
burst until killed outright. He was successful in drawing the enemy action
away from his fellow soldiers, who continued the fight from a more advantageous
position and established the first bridgehead over the Merderet. In the
area where he made his intrepid stand his comrades later found the ground
strewn with dead Germans and many machineguns and automatic weapons which
he had knocked out of action. Pfc. DeGlopper's gallant sacrifice and unflinching
heroism while facing unsurmountable odds were in great measure responsible
for a highly important tactical victory in the Normandy Campaign.
*DELEAU, EMILE, JR.
- Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company A, 142d Infantry, 36th Infantry Division.
- Place and date: Oberhoffen, France, 12 February 1945.
- Entered service at: Blaine, Ohio.
- Birth: Lansing, Ohio.
- G.O. No.: 60, 25 July 1945.
- Citation: He led a squad in the night attack on Oberhoffen,
France, where fierce house-to-house fighting took place. After clearing
1 building of opposition, he moved his men toward a second house from which
heavy machinegun fire came. He courageously exposed himself to hostile
bullets and, firing his submachine gun as he went, advanced steadily toward
the enemy position until close enough to hurl grenades through a window,
killing 3 Germans and wrecking their gun. His progress was stopped by heavy
rifle and machinegun fire from another house. Sgt. Deleau dashed through
the door with his gun blazing. Within, he captured 10 Germans. The squad
then took up a position for the night and awaited daylight to resume the
attack. At dawn of 2 February Sgt. Deleau pressed forward with his unit,
killing 2 snipers as he advanced to a point where machinegun fire from
a house barred the way. Despite vicious small-arms fire, Sgt. Deleau ran
across an open area to reach the rear of the building, where he destroyed
1 machinegun and killed its 2 operators with a grenade. He worked to the
front of the structure and located a second machinegun. Finding it impossible
to toss a grenade into the house from his protected position, he fearlessly
moved away from the building and was about to hurl his explosive when he
was instantly killed by a burst from the gun he sought to knock out. With
magnificent courage and daring aggressiveness, Sgt. Deleau cleared 4 well-defended
houses of Germans, inflicted severe losses on the enemy and at the sacrifice
of his own life aided his battalion to reach its objective with a minimum
of casualties.
DERVISHIAN, ERNEST H.
- Rank and organization: Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army, 34th Infantry Division.
- Place and date: Near Cisterna, Italy, 23 May 1944.
- Entered service at: Richmond, Va.
- Birth: Richmond, Va.
- G.O. No.: 3, 8 January 1945.
- Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life above and beyond
the call of duty on 23 May 1944, in the vicinity of Cisterna, Italy. 2d
Lt. Dervishian (then Tech. Sgt.) and 4 members of his platoon found themselves
far ahead of their company after an aggressive advance in the face of enemy
artillery and sniper fire. Approaching a railroad embankment, they observed
a force of German soldiers hiding in dugouts. 2d Lt. Dervishian, directing
his men to cover him, boldly moved forward and firing his carbine forced
10 Germans to surrender. His men then advanced and captured 15 more Germans
occupying adjacent dugouts. The prisoners were returned to the rear to
be picked up by advancing units. From the railroad embankment, 2d Lt. Dervishian
and his men then observed 9 Germans who were fleeing across a ridge. He
and his men opened fire and 3 of the enemy were wounded. As his men were
firing, 2d Lt. Dervishian, unnoticed, fearlessly dashed forward alone and
captured all of the fleeing enemy before his companions joined him on the
ridge. At this point 4 other men joined 2d Lt. Dervishian's group. An attempt
was made to send the 4 newly arrived men along the left flank of a large,
dense vineyard that lay ahead, but murderous machinegun fire forced them
back. Deploying his men, 2d Lt. Dervishian moved to the front of his group
and led the advance into the vineyard. He and his men suddenly became pinned
down by a machinegun firing at them at a distance of 15 yards. Feigning
death while the hostile weapon blazed away at him, 2d Lt. Dervishian assaulted
the position during a halt in the firing, using a hand grenade and carbine
fire, and forced the 4 German crewmembers to surrender. The 4 men on the
left flank were now ordered to enter the vineyard but encountered machinegun
fire which killed 1 soldier and wounded another. At this moment the enemy
intensified the fight by throwing potato-masher grenades at the valiant
band of American soldiers within the vineyard. 2d Lt. Dervishian ordered
his men to withdraw; but instead of following, jumped into the machinegun
position he had just captured and opened fire with the enemy weapon in
the direction of the second hostile machinegun nest. Observing movement
in a dugout 2 or 3 yards to the rear, 2d Lt. Dervishian seized a machine
pistol. Simultaneously blazing away at the entrance to the dugout to prevent
its occupants from firing and firing his machinegun at the other German
nest, he forced 5 Germans in each position to surrender. Determined to
rid the area of all Germans, 2d Lt. Dervishian continued his advance alone.
Noticing another machinegun position beside a house, he picked up an abandoned
machine pistol and forced 6 more Germans to surrender by spraying their
position with fire. Unable to locate additional targets in the vicinity,
2d Lt. Dervishian conducted these prisoners to the rear. The prodigious
courage and combat skill exhibited by 2d Lt. Dervishian are exemplary of
the finest traditions of the U.S. Armed Forces.
*DIAMOND, JAMES H.
- Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, Company D, 21st Infantry, 24th Infantry Division.
- Place and date: Mintal, Mindanao, Philippine Islands, 814 May 1945.
- Entered service at: Gulfport, Miss.
- Birth: New Orleans, La.
- G.O. No.: 23, 6 March 1946.
- Citation: As a member of the machinegun
section, he displayed extreme gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond
the call of duty . When a Japanese sniper rose from his foxhole to throw
a grenade into their midst, this valiant soldier charged and killed the
enemy with a burst from his submachine gun; then, by delivering sustained
fire from his personal arm and simultaneously directing the fire of 105mm.
and .50 caliber weapons upon the enemy pillboxes immobilizing this and
another machinegun section, he enabled them to put their guns into action.
When 2 infantry companies established a bridgehead, he voluntarily assisted
in evacuating the wounded under heavy fire; and then, securing an abandoned
vehicle, transported casualties to the rear through mortar and artillery
fire so intense as to render the vehicle inoperative and despite the fact
he was suffering from a painful wound. The following day he again volunteered,
this time for the hazardous job of repairing a bridge under heavy enemy
fire. On 14 May 1945, when leading a patrol to evacuate casualties from
his battalion, which was cut off, he ran through a virtual hail of Japanese
fire to secure an abandoned machine gun. Though mortally wounded as he
reached the gun, he succeeded in drawing sufficient fire upon himself so
that the remaining members of the patrol could reach safety. Pfc. Diamond's
indomitable spirit, constant disregard of danger, and eagerness to assist
his comrades, will ever remain a symbol of selflessness and heroic sacrifice
to those for whom he gave his life.
*DIETZ, ROBERT H.
- Rank and organization: Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company A, 38th Armored Infantry Battalion, 7th Armored Division.
- Place and date: Kirchain, Germany, 29 March 1945.
- Entered service at: Kingston, N.Y.
- Birth: Kingston, N.Y.
- G.O. No.: 119, 17 December 1945.
- Citation: He was a squad leader when the
task force to which his unit was attached encountered resistance in its
advance on Kirchain, Germany. Between the town's outlying buildings 300
yards distant, and the stalled armored column were a minefield and 2 bridges
defended by German rocket-launching teams and riflemen. From the town itself
came heavy small-arms fire. Moving forward with his men to protect engineers
while they removed the minefield and the demolition charges attached to
the bridges, S/Sgt. Dietz came under intense fire. On his own initiative
he advanced alone, scorning the bullets which struck all around him, until
he was able to kill the bazooka team defending the first bridge. He continued
ahead and had killed another bazooka team, bayoneted an enemy soldier armed
with a panzerfaust and shot 2 Germans when he was knocked to the ground
by another blast of another panzerfaust. He quickly recovered, killed the
man who had fired at him and then jumped into waist-deep water under the
second bridge to disconnect the demolition charges. His work was completed;
but as he stood up to signal that the route was clear, he was killed by
another enemy volley from the left flank. S/Sgt. Dietz by his intrepidity
and valiant effort on his self-imposed mission, single-handedly opened
the road for the capture of Kirchain and left with his comrades an inspiring
example of gallantry in the face of formidable odds.
DONOVAN, WILLIAM JOSEPH
- Rank and organization: Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army, 165th Infantry, 42d Division.
- Place and date: Near Landres-et-St. Georges, France, 14-15 October 1918.
- Entered service at: Buffalo, N.Y.
- Born: 1 January 1883, Buffalo, N.Y.
- G.O., No.: 56, W.D., 1922.
- Citation: Lt. Col. Donovan personally led the assaulting wave in an attack upon
a very strongly organized position, and when our troops were suffering heavy casualties
he encouraged all near him by his example, moving among his men in exposed positions,
reorganizing decimated platoons, and accompanying them forward in attacks.
When he was wounded in the leg by machine-gun bullets, he refused to be evacuated
and continued with his unit until it withdrew to a less exposed position.
DOOLITTLE, JAMES H. (Air Mission)
- Rank and organization: Brigadier General, U.S. Army. Air Corps.
- Place and date: Over Japan, 18 April 1942.
- Entered service at: Berkeley, Calif.
- Birth: Alameda, Calif.
- G.O. No.: 29, 9 June 1942.
- Citation: For conspicuous leadership
above the call of duty, involving personal valor and intrepidity at an
extreme hazard to life. With the apparent certainty of being forced to
land in enemy territory or to perish at sea, Gen. Doolittle personally
led a squadron of Army bombers, manned by volunteer crews, in a highly
destructive raid on the Japanese mainland.
DOSS, DESMOND T.
- Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, Medical Detachment, 307th Infantry, 77th Infantry Division.
- Place and date: Near Urasoe Mura, Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, 29 April-21 May 1945.
- Entered service at: Lynchburg, Va.
- Birth: Lynchburg, Va.
- G.O. No.: 97, 1 November 1945.
- Citation: He was
a company aid man when the 1st Battalion assaulted a jagged escarpment
400 feet high As our troops gained the summit, a heavy concentration of
artillery, mortar and machinegun fire crashed into them, inflicting approximately
75 casualties and driving the others back. Pfc. Doss refused to seek cover
and remained in the fire-swept area with the many stricken, carrying them
1 by 1 to the edge of the escarpment and there lowering them on a rope-supported
litter down the face of a cliff to friendly hands. On 2 May, he exposed
himself to heavy rifle and mortar fire in rescuing a wounded man 200 yards
forward of the lines on the same escarpment; and 2 days later he treated
4 men who had been cut down while assaulting a strongly defended cave,
advancing through a shower of grenades to within 8 yards of enemy forces
in a cave's mouth, where he dressed his comrades' wounds before making
4 separate trips under fire to evacuate them to safety. On 5 May, he unhesitatingly
braved enemy shelling and small arms fire to assist an artillery officer.
He applied bandages, moved his patient to a spot that offered protection
from small arms fire and, while artillery and mortar shells fell close
by, painstakingly administered plasma. Later that day, when an American
was severely wounded by fire from a cave, Pfc. Doss crawled to him where
he had fallen 25 feet from the enemy position, rendered aid, and carried
him 100 yards to safety while continually exposed to enemy fire. On 21
May, in a night attack on high ground near Shuri, he remained in exposed
territory while the rest of his company took cover, fearlessly risking
the chance that he would be mistaken for an infiltrating Japanese and giving
aid to the injured until he was himself seriously wounded in the legs by
the explosion of a grenade. Rather than call another aid man from cover,
he cared for his own injuries and waited 5 hours before litter bearers
reached him and started carrying him to cover. The trio was caught in an
enemy tank attack and Pfc. Doss, seeing a more critically wounded man nearby,
crawled off the litter; and directed the bearers to give their first attention
to the other man. Awaiting the litter bearers' return, he was again struck,
this time suffering a compound fracture of 1 arm. With magnificent fortitude
he bound a rifle stock to his shattered arm as a splint and then crawled
300 yards over rough terrain to the aid station. Through his outstanding
bravery and unflinching determination in the face of desperately dangerous
conditions Pfc. Doss saved the lives of many soldiers. His name became
a symbol throughout the 77th Infantry Division for outstanding gallantry
far above and beyond the call of duty.
DROWLEY, JESSE R.
- Rank and organization: Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, Americal Infantry Division.
- Place and date: Bougainville, Solomon Islands, 30 January 1944.
- Entered service at: Spokane, Wash.
- Birth: St. Charles, Mich.
- G.O. No.: 73, 6 September 1944.
- Citation: For gallantry and intrepidity at the risk
of his life above and beyond the call of duty in action with the enemy
at Bougainville, Solomon Islands, 30 January 1944. S/Sgt. Drowley, a squad
leader in a platoon whose mission during an attack was to remain under
cover while holding the perimeter defense and acting as a reserve for assaulting
echelon, saw 3 members of the assault company fall badly wounded. When
intense hostile fire prevented aid from reaching the casualties, he fearlessly
rushed forward to carry the wounded to cover. After rescuing 2 men, S/Sgt.
Drowley discovered an enemy pillbox undetected by assaulting tanks that
was inflicting heavy casualties upon the attacking force and was a chief
obstacle to the success of the advance. Delegating the rescue of the third
man to an assistant, he ran across open terrain to 1 of the tanks. Signaling
to the crew, he climbed to the turret, exchanged his weapon for a submachine
gun and voluntarily rode the deck of the tank directing it toward the pillbox
by tracer fire. The tank, under constant heavy enemy fire, continued to
within 20 feet of the pillbox where S/Sgt. Drowley received a severe bullet
wound in the chest. Refusing to return for medical treatment, he remained
on the tank and continued to direct its progress until the enemy box was
definitely located by the crew. At this point he again was wounded by small
arms fire, losing his left eye and falling to the ground. He remained alongside
the tank until the pillbox had been completely demolished and another directly
behind the first destroyed. S/Sgt. Drowley, his voluntary mission successfully
accomplished, returned alone for medical treatment.
DUNHAM, RUSSELL E.
- Rank and organization: Technical Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company I, 30th Infantry, 3d Infantry Division.
- Place and date: Near Kayserberg, France, 8 January 1945.
- Entered service at: Brighton Ill.
- Born: 23 February 1920, East Carondelet, Ill.
- G.O. No.: 37, 11 May 1945.
- Citation: For conspicuous
gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life above and beyond the call of
duty. At about 1430 hours on 8 January 1945, during an attack on Hill 616,
near Kayserberg, France, T/Sgt. Dunham single-handedly assaulted 3 enemy
machineguns. Wearing a white robe made of a mattress cover, carrying 12
carbine magazines and with a dozen hand grenades snagged in his belt, suspenders,
and buttonholes, T/Sgt. Dunham advanced in the attack up a snow-covered
hill under fire from 2 machineguns and supporting riflemen. His platoon
35 yards behind him, T/Sgt. Dunham crawled 75 yards under heavy direct
fire toward the timbered emplacement shielding the left machinegun. As
he jumped to his feet 10 yards from the gun and charged forward, machinegun
fire tore through his camouflage robe and a rifle bullet seared a 10-inch
gash across his back sending him spinning 15 yards down hill into the snow.
When the indomitable sergeant sprang to his feet to renew his 1-man assault,
a German egg grenade landed beside him. He kicked it aside, and as it exploded
5 yards away, shot and killed the German machinegunner and assistant gunner.
His carbine empty, he jumped into the emplacement and hauled out the third
member of the gun crew by the collar. Although his back wound was causing
him excruciating pain and blood was seeping through his white coat, T/Sgt.
Dunham proceeded 50 yards through a storm of automatic and rifle fire to
attack the second machinegun. Twenty-five yards from the emplacement he
hurled 2 grenades, destroying the gun and its crew; then fired down into
the supporting foxholes with his carbine dispatching and dispersing the
enemy riflemen. Although his coat was so thoroughly blood-soaked that he
was a conspicuous target against the white landscape, T/Sgt. Dunham again
advanced ahead of his platoon in an assault on enemy positions farther
up the hill. Coming under machinegun fire from 65 yards to his front, while
rifle grenades exploded 10 yards from his position, he hit the ground and
crawled forward. At 15 yards range, he jumped to his feet, staggered a
few paces toward the timbered machinegun emplacement and killed the crew
with hand grenades. An enemy rifleman fired at pointblank range, but missed
him. After killing the rifleman, T/Sgt. Dunham drove others from their
foxholes with grenades and carbine fire. Killing 9 Germans--wounding 7
and capturing 2--firing about 175 rounds of carbine ammunition, and expending
11 grenades, T/Sgt. Dunham, despite a painful wound, spearheaded a spectacular
and successful diversionary attack.
DUNLAP, ROBERT. HUGO
- Rank and organization: Captain, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, Company C, 1st Battalion, 26th Marines, 5th Marine Division.
- Place and date: On Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 20 and 21 February 1945.
- Entered service at: Illinois.
- Born: 19 October 1920, Abingdon, Ill.
- Citation: For conspicuous gallantry
and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty
as commanding officer of Company C, 1st Battalion, 26th Marines, 5th Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces during the seizure of
Iwo Jima in the Volcano Islands, on 20 and 21 February, 1945. Defying uninterrupted
blasts of Japanese artillery. mortar, rifle and machinegun fire, Capt.
Dunlap led his troops in a determined advance from low ground uphill toward
the steep cliffs from which the enemy poured a devastating rain of shrapnel
and bullets, steadily inching forward until the tremendous volume of enemy
fire from the caves located high to his front temporarily halted his progress.
Determined not to yield, he crawled alone approximately 200 yards forward
of his front lines, took observation at the base of the cliff 50 yards
from Japanese lines, located the enemy gun positions and returned to his
own lines where he relayed the vital information to supporting artillery
and naval gunfire units. Persistently disregarding his own personal safety,
he then placed himself in an exposed vantage point to direct more accurately
the supporting fire and, working without respite for 2 days and 2 nights
under constant enemy fire, skillfully directed a smashing bombardment against
the almost impregnable Japanese positions despite numerous obstacles and
heavy marine casualties. A brilliant leader, Capt. Dunlap inspired his
men to heroic efforts during this critical phase of the battle and by his
cool decision, indomitable fighting spirit, and daring tactics in the face
of fanatic opposition greatly accelerated the final decisive defeat of
Japanese countermeasures in his sector and materially furthered the continued
advance of his company. His great personal valor and gallant spirit of
self-sacrifice throughout the bitter hostilities reflect the highest credit
upon Capt. Dunlap and the U.S. Naval Service.
*DUTKO, JOHN W.
- Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, 3d Infantry Division.
- Place and date: Near Ponte Rotto, Italy, 23 May 1944.
- Entered service at: Riverside, N.J.
- Birth: Dilltown, Pa.
- G.O. No.: 80, 5 October 1944.
- Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life above and beyond
the call of duty, on 23 May 1944, near Ponte Rotto, Italy. Pfc. Dutko left
the cover of an abandoned enemy trench at the height of an artillery concentration
in a single-handed attack upon 3 machineguns and an 88mm. mobile gun. Despite
the intense fire of these 4 weapons which were aimed directly at him, Pfc.
Dutko ran 10.0 yards through the impact area, paused momentarily in a shell
crater, and then continued his l-man assault. Although machinegun bullets
kicked up the dirt at his heels, and 88mm. shells exploded within 30 yards
of him, Pfc. Dutko nevertheless made his way to a point within 30 yards
of the first enemy machinegun and killed both gunners with a hand grenade.
Although the second machinegun wounded him, knocking him to the ground,
Pfc. Dutko regained his feet and advanced on the 88mm. gun, firing his
Browning automatic rifle from the hip. When he came within 10 yards of
this weapon he killed its 5-man crew with 1 long burst of fire. Wheeling
on the machinegun which had wounded him, Pfc. Dutko killed the gunner and
his assistant. The third German machinegun fired on Pfc. Dutko from a position
20 yards distant wounding him a second time as he proceeded toward the
enemy weapon in a half run. He killed both members of its crew with a single
burst from his Browning automatic rifle, continued toward the gun and died,
his body falling across the dead German crew.
*DYESS, AQUILLA JAMES
- Rank and organization: Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, 1st Battalion, 24th Marines , 4th Marine Division.
- Place and date: Namur Island, Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands, 1-2 February 1944.
- Born: 11 January 1909, Augusta, Ga.
- Appointed from: Georgia.
- Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above
and beyond the call of duty as Commanding Officer of the 1st Battalion,
24th Marines (Rein), 4th Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese
forces during the assault on Namur Island, Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands,
1 and 2 February 1944. Undaunted by severe fire from automatic Japanese
weapons, Lt. Col. Dyess launched a powerful final attack on the second
day of the assault, unhesitatingly posting himself between the opposing
lines to point out objectives and avenues of approach and personally leading
the advancing troops. Alert, and determined to quicken the pace of the
offensive against increased enemy fire, he was constantly at the head of
advance units, inspiring his men to push forward until the Japanese had
been driven back to a small center of resistance and victory assured. While
standing on the parapet of an antitank trench directing a group of infantry
in a flanking attack against the last enemy position, Lt. Col. Dyess was
killed by a burst of enemy machinegun fire. His daring and forceful leadership
and his valiant fighting spirit in the face of terrific opposition were
in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly
gave his life for his country.
EDSON, MERRITT AUSTIN
- Rank and organization: Colonel, U.S. Marine Corps, 1st Marine Raider Battalion.
- Place and date: Battle of the Ridge, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, 13-14 September 1942.
- Born: 25 April 1897, Rutland, Vt.
- Appointed from: Vermont.
- Other Navy awards: Navy Cross with Gold Star, Silver Star Medal, Legion of Merit with Gold Star.
- Citation:
For extraordinary heroism and conspicuous intrepidity above and beyond
the call of duty as Commanding Officer of the 1st Marine Raider Battalion,
with Parachute Battalion attached, during action against enemy Japanese
forces in the Solomon Islands on the night of 13-14 September 1942. After
the airfield on Guadalcanal had been seized from the enemy on 8 August,
Col. Edson, with a force of 800 men, was assigned to the occupation and
defense of a ridge dominating the jungle on either side of the airport.
Facing a formidable Japanese attack which, augmented by infiltration, had
crashed through our front lines, he, by skillful handling of his troops,
successfully withdrew his forward units to a reserve line with minimum
casualties. When the enemy, in a subsequent series of violent assaults,
engaged our force in desperate hand-to-hand combat with bayonets, rifles,
pistols, grenades, and knives, Col. Edson, although continuously exposed
to hostile fire throughout the night, personally directed defense of the
reserve position against a fanatical foe of greatly superior numbers. By
his astute leadership and gallant devotion to duty, he enabled his men,
despite severe losses, to cling tenaciously to their position on the vital
ridge, thereby retaining command not only of the Guadalcanal airfield,
but also of the 1st Division's entire offensive installations in the surrounding
area.
EHLERS, WALTER D.
- Rank and organization: Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, 18th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division.
- Place and date: Near Goville, France, 9-10 June 1944.
- Entered service at: Manhattan, Kans.
- Birth: Junction City, Kans.
- G.O. No.: 91, 19 December 1944.
- Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity
at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty on 9-10 June
1944, near Goville, France. S/Sgt. Ehlers, always acting as the spearhead
of the attack, repeatedly led his men against heavily defended enemy strong
points exposing himself to deadly hostile fire whenever the situation required
heroic and courageous leadership. Without waiting for an order, S/Sgt.
Ehlers, far ahead of his men, led his squad against a strongly defended
enemy strong point, personally killing 4 of an enemy patrol who attacked
him en route. Then crawling forward under withering machinegun fire, he
pounced upon the guncrew and put it out of action. Turning his attention
to 2 mortars protected by the crossfire of 2 machineguns, S/Sgt. Ehlers
led his men through this hail of bullets to kill or put to flight the enemy
of the mortar section, killing 3 men himself. After mopping up the mortar
positions, he again advanced on a machinegun, his progress effectively
covered by his squad. When he was almost on top of the gun he leaped to
his feet and, although greatly outnumbered, he knocked out the position
single-handed. The next day, having advanced deep into enemy territory,
the platoon of which S/Sgt. Ehlers was a member, finding itself in an untenable
position as the enemy brought increased mortar, machinegun, and small arms
fire to bear on it, was ordered to withdraw. S/Sgt. Ehlers, after his squad
had covered the withdrawal of the remainder of the platoon, stood up and
by continuous fire at the semicircle of enemy placements, diverted the
bulk of the heavy hostile fire on himself, thus permitting the members
of his own squad to withdraw. At this point, though wounded himself, he
carried his wounded automatic rifleman to safety and then returned fearlessly
over the shell-swept field to retrieve the automatic rifle which he was
unable to carry previously. After having his wound treated, he refused
to be evacuated, and returned to lead his squad. The intrepid leadership,
indomitable courage, and fearless aggressiveness displayed by S/Sgt. Ehlers
in the face of overwhelming enemy forces serve as an inspiration to others.
*ELROD, HENRY TALMAGE
- Rank and organization: Captain, U.S. Marine Corps, VMF-211.
- Place and date: Wake Island, 8-23 December 1941.
- Born: 27 September 1905, Rebecca, Ga.
- Entered service at: Ashburn, Ga.
- Citation: For conspicuous
gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the
call of duty while attached to Marine Fighting Squadron 211, during action
against enemy Japanese land, surface and aerial units at Wake Island, 8
to 23 December 1941. Engaging vastly superior forces of enemy bombers and
warships on 9 and 12 December, Capt. Elrod shot down 2 of a flight of 22
hostile planes and, executing repeated bombing and strafing runs at extremely
low altitude and close range, succeeded in inflicting deadly damage upon
a large Japanese vessel, thereby sinking the first major warship to be
destroyed by small caliber bombs delivered from a fighter-type aircraft.
When his plane was disabled by hostile fire and no other ships were operative,
Capt. Elrod assumed command of 1 flank of the line set up in defiance of
the enemy landing and, conducting a brilliant defense, enabled his men
to hold their positions and repulse intense hostile fusillades to provide
covering fire for unarmed ammunition carriers. Capturing an automatic weapon
during 1 enemy rush in force, he gave his own firearm to 1 of his men and
fought on vigorously against the Japanese. Responsible in a large measure
for the strength of his sector's gallant resistance, on 23 December, Capt.
Elrod led his men with bold aggressiveness until he fell, mortally wounded.
His superb skill as a pilot, daring leadership and unswerving devotion
to duty distinguished him among the defenders of Wake Island, and his valiant
conduct reflects the highest credit upon himself and the U.S. Naval Service.
He gallantly gave his life for his country.
*ENDL, GERALD L.
- Rank and organization: Staff Sergeant, U S. Army, 32d Infantry Division.
- Place and date: Near Anamo, New Guinea, 11 July 1944.
- Entered service at: Janesville, Wis.
- Birth: Ft. Atkinson, Wis.
- G.O. No.: 17, 13 March 1945.
- Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his
life above and beyond the call of duty near Anamo, New Guinea, on 11 July
1944. S/Sgt. Endl was at the head of the leading platoon of his company
advancing along a jungle trail when enemy troops were encountered and a
fire fight developed. The enemy attacked in force under heavy rifle, machinegun,
and grenade fire. His platoon leader wounded, S/Sgt. Endl immediately assumed
command and deployed his platoon on a firing line at the fork in the trail
toward which the enemy attack was directed. The dense jungle terrain greatly
restricted vision and movement, and he endeavored to penetrate down the
trail toward an open clearing of Kunai grass. As he advanced, he detected
the enemy, supported by at least 6 light and 2 heavy machineguns, attempting
an enveloping movement around both flanks. His commanding officer sent
a second platoon to move up on the left flank of the position, but the
enemy closed in rapidly, placing our force in imminent danger of being
isolated and annihilated. Twelve members of his platoon were wounded, 7
being cut off by the enemy. Realizing that if his platoon were forced farther
back, these 7 men would be hopelessly trapped and at the mercy of a vicious
enemy, he resolved to advance at all cost, knowing it meant almost certain
death, in an effort to rescue his comrades. In the face of extremely heavy
fire he went forward alone and for a period of approximately 10 minutes
engaged the enemy in a heroic close-range fight, holding them off while
his men crawled forward under cover to evacuate the wounded and to withdraw.
Courageously refusing to abandon 4 more wounded men who were Iying along
the trail, 1 by 1 he brought them back to safety. As he was carrying the
last man in his arms he was struck by a heavy burst of automatic fire and
was killed. By his persistent and daring self-sacrifice and on behalf of
his comrades, S/Sgt. Endl made possible the successful evacuation of all
but 1 man, and enabled the 2 platoons to withdraw with their wounded and
to reorganize with the rest of the company.
*EPPERSON, HAROLD GLENN
- Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, 1st Battalion, 6th Marines, 2d Marine Division.
- Place and date: Saipan, Marianas Islands, 25 June 1944.
- Born: 14 July 1923, Akron, Ohio.
- Accredited to: Ohio.
- Citation: For conspicuous
gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the
call of duty while serving with the 1st Battalion, 6th Marines, 2d Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on the Island of Saipan
in the Marianas, on 25 June 1944. With his machinegun emplacement bearing
the full brunt of a fanatic assault initiated by the Japanese under cover
of predawn darkness, Pfc. Epperson manned his weapon with determined aggressiveness,
fighting furiously in the defense of his battalion's position and maintaining
a steady stream of devastating fire against rapidly infiltrating hostile
troops to aid materially in annihilating several of the enemy and in breaking
the abortive attack. Suddenly a Japanese soldier, assumed to be dead, sprang
up and hurled a powerful hand grenade into the emplacement. Determined
to save his comrades, Pfc. Epperson unhesitatingly chose to sacrifice himself
and, diving upon the deadly missile, absorbed the shattering violence of
the exploding charge in his own body. Stouthearted and indomitable in the
face of certain death, Pfc. Epperson fearlessly yielded his own life that
his able comrades might carry on the relentless battle against a ruthless
enemy. His superb valor and unfaltering devotion to duty throughout reflect
the highest credit upon himself and upon the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly
gave his life for his country.
ERWIN, HENRY E. (Air Mission)
- Rank and organization: Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army Air Corps, 52d Bombardment Squadron, 29th Bombardment Group, 20th Air Force.
- Place and date: Koriyama, Japan, 12 April 1945.
- Entered service at: Bessemer, Ala.
- Born: 8 May 1921, Adamsville, Ala.
- G.O. No.: 44, 6 June 1945.
- Citation: He was the radio
operator of a B-29 airplane leading a group formation to attack Koriyama,
Japan. He was charged with the additional duty of dropping phosphoresce
smoke bombs to aid in assembling the group when the launching point was
reached. Upon entering the assembly area, aircraft fire and enemy fighter
opposition was encountered. Among the phosphoresce bombs launched by S/Sgt.
Erwin, 1 proved faulty, exploding in the launching chute, and shot back
into the interior of the aircraft, striking him in the face. The burning
phosphoresce obliterated his nose and completely blinded him. Smoke filled
the plane, obscuring the vision of the pilot. S/Sgt. Erwin realized that
the aircraft and crew would be lost if the burning bomb remained in the
plane. Without regard for his own safety, he picked it up and feeling his
way, instinctively, crawled around the gun turret and headed for the copilot's
window. He found the navigator's table obstructing his passage. Grasping
the burning bomb between his forearm and body, he unleashed the spring
lock and raised the table. Struggling through the narrow passage he stumbled
forward into the smoke-filled pilot's compartment. Groping with his burning
hands, he located the window and threw the bomb out. Completely aflame,
he fell back upon the floor. The smoke cleared, the pilot, at 300 feet,
pulled the plane out of its dive. S/Sgt. Erwin's gallantry and heroism
above and beyond the call of duty saved the lives of his comrades.
*EUBANKS, RAY E.
- Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company D, 503d Parachute Infantry.
- Place and date: At Noemfoor Island, Dutch New Guinea, 23 July 1944.
- Entered service at: LaGrange, N.C.
- Born: 6 February 1922, Snow Hill, N.C.
- G.O. No.: 20, 29 March 1945.
- Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and
intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty at
Noemfoor Island, Dutch New Guinea, 23 July 1944. While moving to the relief
of a platoon isolated by the enemy, his company encountered a strong enemy
position supported by machinegun, rifle, and mortar fire. Sgt. Eubanks
was ordered to make an attack with 1 squad to neutralize the enemy by fire
in order to assist the advance of his company. He maneuvered his squad
to within 30 yards of the enemy where heavy fire checked his advance. Directing
his men to maintain their fire, he and 2 scouts worked their way forward
up a shallow depression to within 25 yards of the enemy. Directing the
scouts to remain in place, Sgt. Eubanks armed himself with an automatic
rifle and worked himself forward over terrain swept by intense fire to
within 15 yards of the enemy position when he opened fire with telling
effect. The enemy, having located his position, concentrated their fire
with the result that he was wounded and a bullet rendered his rifle useless.
In spite of his painful wounds he immediately charged the enemy and using
his weapon as a club killed 4 of the enemy before he was himself again
hit and killed. Sgt. Eubanks' heroic action, courage, and example in leadership
so inspired his men that their advance was successful. They killed 45 of
the enemy and drove the remainder from the position, thus effecting the
relief of our beleaguered troops.
*EVANS, ERNEST EDWIN
- Rank and organization: Commander, U.S. Navy, U.S.S. Johnston.
- Place and date: Battle off Samar, Philippine Islands, 25 October 1944.
- Born: 13 August 1908, Pawnee, Okla.
- Accredited to: Oklahoma.
- Other Navy awards: Navy Cross, Bronze Star Medal.
- Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk
of his life above and beyond the call of duty as commanding officer of
the U.S.S. Johnston in action against major units of the enemy Japanese
fleet during the battle off Samar on 25 October 1944. The first to lay
a smokescreen and to open fire as an enemy task force, vastly superior
in number, firepower and armor, rapidly approached. Comdr. Evans gallantly
diverted the powerful blasts of hostile guns from the lightly armed and
armored carriers under his protection, launching the first torpedo attack
when the Johnston came under straddling Japanese shellfire. Undaunted by
damage sustained under the terrific volume of fire, he unhesitatingly joined
others of his group to provide fire support during subsequent torpedo attacks
against the Japanese and, outshooting and outmaneuvering the enemy as he
consistently interposed his vessel between the hostile fleet units and
our carriers despite the crippling loss of engine power and communications
with steering aft, shifted command to the fantail, shouted steering orders
through an open hatch to men turning the rudder by hand and battled furiously
until the Johnston, burning and shuddering from a mortal blow, lay dead
in the water after 3 hours of fierce combat. Seriously wounded early in
the engagement, Comdr. Evans, by his indomitable courage and brilliant
professional skill, aided materially in turning back the enemy during a
critical phase of the action. His valiant fighting spirit throughout this
historic battle will venture as an inspiration to all who served with him.
EVERHART, FORREST E.
- Rank and organization: Technical Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company H, 359th Infantry, 90th Infantry Division.
- Place and date: Near Kerling, France, 12 November 1944.
- Entered service at: Texas City, Tex.
- Birth: Bainbridge, Ohio.
- G.O. No.: 77, 10 September 1945.
- Citation: He commanded a platoon
that bore the brunt of a desperate enemy counterattack near Korling, France,
before dawn on 12 November 1944. When German tanks and self-propelled guns
penetrated his left flank and overwhelming infantry forces threatened to
overrun the 1 remaining machinegun in that section, he ran 400 yards through
woods churned by artillery and mortar concentrations to strengthen the
defense. With the 1 remaining gunner, he directed furious fire into the
advancing hordes until they swarmed close to the position. He left the
gun, boldly charged the attackers and, after a 15-minute exchange of hand
grenades, forced them to withdraw leaving 30 dead behind. He re-crossed
the fire-swept terrain to his then threatened right flank, exhorted his
men and directed murderous fire from the single machinegun at that position.
There, in the light of bursting mortar shells, he again closed with the
enemy in a hand grenade duel and, after a fierce 30-minute battle, forced
the Germans to withdraw leaving another 20 dead. The gallantry and intrepidity
of T/Sgt. Everhart in rallying his men and refusing to fall back in the
face of terrible odds were highly instrumental in repelling the fanatical
enemy counterattack directed at the American bridgehead across the Moselle
River.