Above L-R: Navy Medal of Honor, Air Force Medal of Honor,
Army Medal of Honor
WORLD WAR
II MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENTS (G-L)
GALER, ROBERT EDWARD
Rank and organization: Major, U.S. Marine Corps, Marine Fighter Sqdn.
244. Place: Solomon Islands Area. Entered service at: Washington. Born:
23 October 1913, Seattle, Wash. Other Navy awards: Navy Cross, Distinguished
Flying Cross. Citation: For conspicuous heroism and courage above and beyond
the call of duty as leader of a marine fighter squadron in aerial combat
with enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands area. Leading his squadron
repeatedly in daring and aggressive raids against Japanese aerial forces,
vastly superior in numbers, Maj. Galer availed himself of every favorable
attack opportunity, individually shooting down 11 enemy bomber and fighter
aircraft over a period of 29 days. Though suffering the extreme physical
strain attendant upon protracted fighter operations at an altitude above
25,000 feet, the squadron under his zealous and inspiring leadership shot
down a total of 27 Japanese planes. His superb airmanship, his outstanding
skill and personal valor reflect great credit upon Maj. Galer's gallant
fighting spirit and upon the U.S. Naval Service.
*GALT, WILLIAM WYLIE
Rank and organization: Captain, U.S. Army, 168th Infantry, 34th Infantry
Division. Place and date: At Villa Crocetta, Italy, 29 May 1944. Entered
service at: Stanford, Mont. Birth: Geyser, Mont. G.O. No.: 1, 1 February
1945. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond
the call of duty. Capt. Galt, Battalion S3, at a particularly critical
period following 2 unsuccessful attacks by his battalion, of his own volition
went forward and ascertained just how critical the situation was. He volunteered,
at the risk of his life, personally to lead the battalion against the objective.
When the lone remaining tank destroyer refused to go forward, Capt. Galt
jumped on the tank destroyer and ordered it to precede the attack. As the
tank destroyer moved forward, followed by a company of riflemen, Capt.
Galt manned the .30-caliber machinegun in the turret of the tank destroyer,
located and directed fire on an enemy 77mm. anti-tank gun, and destroyed
it. Nearing the enemy positions, Capt. Galt stood fully exposed in the
turret, ceaselessly firing his machinegun and tossing hand grenades into
the enemy zigzag series of trenches despite the hail of sniper and machinegun
bullets ricocheting off the tank destroyer. As the tank destroyer moved,
Capt. Galt so maneuvered it that 40 of the enemy were trapped in one trench.
When they refused to surrender, Capt. Galt pressed the trigger of the machinegun
and dispatched every one of them. A few minutes later an 88mm shell struck
the tank destroyer and Capt. Galt fell mortally wounded across his machinegun.
He had personally killed 40 Germans and wounded many more. Capt. Galt pitted
his judgment and superb courage against overwhelming odds, exemplifying
the highest measure of devotion to his country and the finest traditions
of the U.S. Army.
*GAMMON, ARCHER T.
Rank and organization: Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company A, 9th Armored
Infantry Battalion, 6th Armored Division. Place and date: Near Bastogne,
Belgium, 11 January 1945. Entered service at: Roanoke, Va. Born: 11 September
1918, Chatham, Va. G.O. No.: 18, 13 February 1946. Citation: He charged
30 yards through hip-deep snow to knock out a machinegun and its 3-man
crew with grenades, saving his platoon from being decimated and allowing
it to continue its advance from an open field into some nearby woods. The
platoon's advance through the woods had only begun when a machinegun supported
by riflemen opened fire and a Tiger Royal tank sent 88mm. shells screaming
at the unit from the left flank. S/Sgt. Gammon, disregarding all thoughts
of personal safety, rushed forward, then cut to the left, crossing the
width of the platoon's skirmish line in an attempt to get within grenade
range of the tank and its protecting foot troops. Intense fire was concentrated
on him by riflemen and the machinegun emplaced near the tank. He charged
the automatic weapon, wiped out its crew of 4 with grenades, and, with
supreme daring, advanced to within 25 yards of the armored vehicle, killing
2 hostile infantrymen with rifle fire as he moved forward. The tank had
started to withdraw, backing a short distance, then firing, backing some
more, and then stopping to blast out another round, when the man whose
single-handed relentless attack had put the ponderous machine on the defensive
was struck and instantly killed by a direct hit from the Tiger Royal's
heavy gun. By his intrepidity and extreme devotion to the task of driving
the enemy back no matter what the odds, S/Sgt. Gammon cleared the woods
of German forces, for the tank continued to withdraw, leaving open the
path for the gallant squad leader's platoon.
GARCIA, MARCARIO
Rank and organization: Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company B, 22d Infantry,
4th Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Grosshau, Germany, 27 November
1944. Entered service at: Sugarland, Tex. Born: 20 January 1920, Villa
de Castano, Mexico. G.O. No.: 74, 1 September 1945. Citation: While an
acting squad leader of Company B, 22d Infantry, on 27 November 1944, near
Grosshau, Germany, he single-handedly assaulted 2 enemy machinegun emplacements.
Attacking prepared positions on a wooded hill, which could be approached
only through meager cover, his company was pinned down by intense machinegun
fire and subjected to a concentrated artillery and mortar barrage. Although
painfully wounded, he refused to be evacuated and on his own initiative
crawled forward alone until he reached a position near an enemy emplacement.
Hurling grenades, he boldly assaulted the position, destroyed the gun,
and with his rifle killed 3 of the enemy who attempted to escape. When
he rejoined his company, a second machinegun opened fire and again the
intrepid soldier went forward, utterly disregarding his own safety. He
stormed the position and destroyed the gun, killed 3 more Germans, and
captured 4 prisoners. He fought on with his unit until the objective was
taken and only then did he permit himself to be removed for medical care.
S/Sgt. (then private) Garcia's conspicuous heroism, his inspiring, courageous
conduct, and his complete disregard for his personal safety wiped out 2
enemy emplacements and enabled his company to advance and secure its objective.
GARMAN, HAROLD A.
Rank and organization: Private, U.S. Army, Company B, 5th Medical Battalion,
5th Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Montereau, France, 25 August
1944. Entered service at: Albion, Ill. Born: 26 February 1918, Fairfield,
Ill. 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.
On 25 August 1944, in the vicinity of Montereau, France, the enemy was
sharply contesting any enlargement of the bridgehead which our forces had
established on the northern bank of the Seine River in this sector. Casualties
were being evacuated to the southern shore in assault boats paddled by
litter bearers from a medical battalion. Pvt. Garman, also a litter bearer
in this battalion, was working on the friendly shore carrying the wounded
from the boats to waiting ambulances. As 1 boatload of wounded reached
midstream, a German machinegun suddenly opened fire upon it from a commanding
position on the northern bank 100 yards away. All of the men in the boat
immediately took to the water except 1 man who was so badly wounded he
could not rise from his litter. Two other patients who were unable to swim
because of their wounds clung to the sides of the boat. Seeing the extreme
danger of these patients, Pvt. Garman without a moment's hesitation plunged
into the Seine. Swimming directly into a hail of machinegun bullets, he
rapidly reached the assault boat and then while still under accurately
aimed fire towed the boat with great effort to the southern shore. This
soldier's moving heroism not only saved the lives of the three patients
but so inspired his comrades that additional assault boats were immediately
procured and the evacuation of the wounded resumed. Pvt. Garman's great
courage and his heroic devotion to the highest tenets of the Medical Corps
may be written with great pride in the annals of the corps.
GARY, DONALD ARTHUR
Rank and organization: Lieutenant, Junior Grade, U.S. Navy, U.S.S. Franklin.
Place and date: Japanese Home Islands near Kobe, Japan, 19 March 1945.
Entered service at: Ohio. Born: 23 July 1903, Findlay, Ohio. Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above
and beyond the call of duty as an engineering officer attached to the U.S.S.
Franklin when that vessel was fiercely attacked by enemy aircraft during
the operations against the Japanese Home Islands near Kobe, Japan, 19 March
1945. Stationed on the third deck when the ship was rocked by a series
of violent explosions set off in her own ready bombs, rockets, and ammunition
by the hostile attack, Lt. (j.g.) Gary unhesitatingly risked his life to
assist several hundred men trapped in a messing compartment filled with
smoke, and with no apparent egress. As the imperiled men below decks became
increasingly panic stricken under the raging fury of incessant explosions,
he confidently assured them he would find a means of effecting their release
and, groping through the dark, debris-filled corridors, ultimately discovered
an escapeway. Stanchly determined, he struggled back to the messing compartment
3 times despite menacing flames, flooding water, and the ominous threat
of sudden additional explosions, on each occasion calmly leading his men
through the blanketing pall of smoke until the last one had been saved.
Selfless in his concern for his ship and his fellows, he constantly rallied
others about him, repeatedly organized and led fire-fighting parties into
the blazing inferno on the flight deck and, when firerooms 1 and 2 were
found to be inoperable, entered the No. 3 fireroom and directed the raising
of steam in 1 boiler in the face of extreme difficulty and hazard. An inspiring
and courageous leader, Lt. (j.g.) Gary rendered self-sacrificing service
under the most perilous conditions and, by his heroic initiative, fortitude,
and valor, was responsible for the saving of several hundred lives. His
conduct throughout reflects the highest credit upon himself and upon the
U.S. Naval Service.
GERSTUNG, ROBERT E.
Rank and organization: Technical Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company H, 313th
Infantry, 79th Infantry Division. Place and date: Siegfried Line near Berg,
Germany, 19 December 1944. Entered service at: Chicago, Ill. Born: 6 August
1915, Chicago, Ill. G.O. No.: 75, 5 September 1945. Citation: On 19 December
1944 he was ordered with his heavy machinegun squad to the support of an
infantry company attacking the outer defense of the Siegfried Line near
Berg, Germany. For 8 hours he maintained a position made almost untenable
by the density of artillery and mortar fire concentrated upon it and the
proximity of enemy troops who threw hand grenades into the emplacement.
While all other members of his squad became casualties, he remained at
his gun. When he ran out of ammunition, he fearlessly dashed across bullet-swept,
open terrain to secure a new supply from a disabled friendly tank. A fierce
barrage pierced the water jacket of his gun, but he continued to fire until
the weapon overheated and jammed. Instead of withdrawing, he crawled 50
yards across coverless ground to another of his company's machineguns which
had been silenced when its entire crew was killed. He continued to man
this gun, giving support vitally needed by the infantry. At one time he
came under direct fire from a hostile tank, which shot the glove from his
hand with an armor-piercing shell but could not drive him from his position
or stop his shooting. W hen the American forces were ordered to retire
to their original positions, he remained at his gun, giving the only covering
fire. Finally withdrawing, he cradled the heavy weapon in his left arm,
slung a belt of ammunition over his shoulder, and walked to the rear, loosing
small bursts at the enemy as he went. One hundred yards from safety, he
was struck in the leg by a mortar shell; but, with a supreme effort, he
crawled the remaining distance, dragging along the gun which had served
him and his comrades so well. By his remarkable perseverance, indomitable
courage, and heroic devotion to his task in the face of devastating fire,
T/Sgt. Gerstung gave his fellow soldiers powerful support in their encounter
with formidable enemy forces.
*GIBSON, ERIC G.
Rank and organization. Technician Fifth Grade, U.S. Army, 3d Infantry
Division. Place and date: Near Isola Bella, Italy, 28 January 1944. Entered
service at: Chicago, Ill. Birth: Nysund, Sweden. G.O. No.: 74, 11 September
1944. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life
above and beyond the call of duty. On 28 January 1944, near Isola Bella,
Italy, Tech. 5th Grade Gibson, company cook, led a squad of replacements
through their initial baptism of fire, destroyed four enemy positions,
killed 5 and captured 2 German soldiers, and secured the left flank of
his company during an attack on a strongpoint. Placing himself 50 yards
in front of his new men, Gibson advanced down the wide stream ditch known
as the Fossa Femminamorta, keeping pace with the advance of his company.
An enemy soldier allowed Tech. 5th Grade Gibson to come within 20 yards
of his concealed position and then opened fire on him with a machine pistol.
Despite the stream of automatic fire which barely missed him, Gibson charged
the position, firing his submachine gun every few steps. Reaching the position,
Gibson fired pointblank at his opponent, killing him. An artillery concentration
fell in and around the ditch; the concussion from one shell knocked him
flat. As he got to his feet Gibson was fired on by two soldiers armed with
a machine pistol and a rifle from a position only 75 yards distant. Gibson
immediately raced toward the foe. Halfway to the position a machinegun
opened fire on him. Bullets came within inches of his body, yet Gibson
never paused in his forward movement. He killed one and captured the other
soldier. Shortly after, when he was fired upon by a heavy machinegun 200
yards down the ditch, Gibson crawled back to his squad and ordered it to
lay down a base of fire while he flanked the emplacement. Despite all warning,
Gibson crawled 125 yards through an artillery concentration and the cross
fire of 2 machineguns which showered dirt over his body, threw 2 hand grenades
into the emplacement and charged it with his submachine gun, killing 2
of the enemy and capturing a third. Before leading his men around a bend
in the stream ditch, Gibson went forward alone to reconnoiter. Hearing
an exchange of machine pistol and submachine gun fire, Gibson's squad went
forward to find that its leader had run 35 yards toward an outpost, killed
the machine pistol man, and had himself been killed while firing at the
Germans.
*GILMORE, HOWARD WALTER
Rank and organization: Commander, U.S. Navy. Born: 29 September 1902,
Selma, Ala. Appointed from: Louisiana. Other Navy award: Navy Cross with
one gold star. Citation: For distinguished gallantry and valor above and
beyond the call of duty as commanding officer of the U.S.S. Growler during
her Fourth War Patrol in the Southwest Pacific from 10 January to 7 February
1943. Boldly striking at the enemy in spite of continuous hostile air and
antisubmarine patrols, Comdr. Gilmore sank one Japanese freighter and damaged
another by torpedo fire, successfully evading severe depth charges following
each attack. In the darkness of night on 7 February, an enemy gunboat closed
range and prepared to ram the Growler. Comdr. Gilmore daringly maneuvered
to avoid the crash and rammed the attacker instead, ripping into her port
side at 11 knots and bursting wide her plates. In the terrific fire of
the sinking gunboat's heavy machineguns, Comdr. Gilmore calmly gave the
order to clear the bridge, and refusing safety for himself, remained on
deck while his men preceded him below. Struck down by the fusillade of
bullets and having done his utmost against the enemy, in his final living
moments, Comdr. Gilmore gave his last order to the officer of the deck,
"Take her down." The Growler dived; seriously damaged but under control,
she was brought safely to port by her well-trained crew inspired by the
courageous fighting spirit of their dead captain.
*GONSALVES, HAROLD
Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve.
Born: 28 January 1926, Alameda, Calif. Accredited to: California. Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above
and beyond the call of duty while serving as Acting Scout Sergeant with
the 4th Battalion, 15th Marines, 6th Marine Division, during action against
enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa Shima in the Ryukyu Chain, 15 April 1945.
Undaunted by the powerfully organized opposition encountered on Motobu
Peninsula during the fierce assault waged by his battalion against the
Japanese stronghold at Mount Yaetake, Pfc. Gonsalves repeatedly braved
the terrific enemy bombardment to aid his forward observation team in directing
well-placed artillery fire. When his commanding officer determined to move
into the front lines in order to register a more effective bombardment
in the enemy's defensive position, he unhesitatingly advanced uphill with
the officer and another Marine despite a slashing barrage of enemy mortar
and rifle fire. As they reached the front and a Japanese grenade fell close
within the group, instantly Pfc. Gonsalves dived on the deadly missile,
absorbing the exploding charge in his own body and thereby protecting the
others from serious and perhaps fatal wounds. Stouthearted and indomitable,
Pfc. Gonsalves readily yielded his own chances of survival that his fellow
marines might carry on the relentless battle against a fanatic enemy and
his cool decision, prompt action and valiant spirit of self-sacrifice in
the face of certain death reflect the highest credit upon himself and upon
the U.S. Naval Service.
*GONZALES, DAVID M.
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, 25 April 1945. Entered service at: Pacoima, Calif.
Birth: Pacoima, Calif. G.O. No.: 115, 8 December 1945. Citation: He was
pinned down with his company. As enemy fire swept the area, making any
movement extremely hazardous, a 500-pound bomb smashed into the company's
perimeter, burying 5 men with its explosion. Pfc. Gonzales, without hesitation,
seized an entrenching tool and under a hail of fire crawled 15 yards to
his entombed comrades, where his commanding officer, who had also rushed
forward, was beginning to dig the men out. Nearing his goal, he saw the
officer struck and instantly killed by machinegun fire. Undismayed, he
set to work swiftly and surely with his hands and the entrenching tool
while enemy sniper and machinegun bullets struck all about him. He succeeded
in digging one of the men out of the pile of rock and sand. To dig faster
he stood up regardless of the greater danger from so exposing himself.
He extricated a second man, and then another. As he completed the liberation
of the third, he was hit and mortally wounded, but the comrades for whom
he so gallantly gave his life were safely evacuated. Pfc. Gonzales' valiant
and intrepid conduct exemplifies the highest tradition of the military
service.
GORDON, NATHAN GREEN
Rank and organization: Lieutenant, U.S. Navy, commander of Catalina
patrol plane. Place and date: Bismarck Sea, 15 February 1944. Entered service
at: Arkansas. Born: 4 September 1916, Morrilton, Ark. Citation: For extraordinary
heroism above and beyond the call of duty as commander of a Catalina patrol
plane in rescuing personnel of the U.S. Army 5th Air Force shot down in
combat over Kavieng Harbor in the Bismarck Sea, 15 February 1944. On air
alert in the vicinity of Vitu Islands, Lt. (then Lt. j.g.) Gordon unhesitatingly
responded to a report of the crash and flew boldly into the harbor, defying
close-range fire from enemy shore guns to make 3 separate landings in full
view of the Japanese and pick up 9 men, several of them injured. With his
cumbersome flying boat dangerously overloaded, he made a brilliant takeoff
despite heavy swells and almost total absence of wind and set a course
for base, only to receive the report of another group stranded in a rubber
life raft 600 yards from the enemy shore. Promptly turning back, he again
risked his life to set his plane down under direct fire of the heaviest
defenses of Kavieng and take aboard 6 more survivors, coolly making his
fourth dexterous takeoff with 15 rescued officers and men. By his exceptional
daring, personal valor, and incomparable airmanship under most perilous
conditions, Lt. Gordon prevented certain death or capture of our airmen
by the Japanese.
*GOTT, DONALD J. (Air Mission)
Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, U.S. Army Air Corps, 729th
Bomber Squadron, 452d Bombardment Group. Place and date: Saarbrucken, Germany,
9 November 1944. Entered service at: Arnett, Okla. Born: 3 June 1923, Arnett,
Okla. G.O. No.: 38, 16 May 1945. Citation: On a bombing run upon the marshaling
yards at Saarbrucken a B-17 aircraft piloted by 1st. Lt. Gott was seriously
damaged by antiaircraft fire. Three of the aircraft's engines were damaged
beyond control and on fire; dangerous flames from the No. 4 engine were
leaping back as far as the tail assembly. Flares in the cockpit were ignited
and a fire raged therein, which was further increased by free-flowing fluid
from damaged hydraulic lines. The interphone system was rendered useless.
In addition to these serious mechanical difficulties the engineer was wounded
in the leg and the radio operator's arm was severed below the elbow. Suffering
from intense pain, despite the application of a tourniquet, the radio operator
fell unconscious. Faced with the imminent explosion of his aircraft, and
death to his entire crew, mere seconds before bombs away on the target,
1st. Lt. Gott and his copilot conferred. Something had to be done immediately
to save the life of the wounded radio operator. The lack of a static line
and the thought that his unconscious body striking the ground in unknown
territory would not bring immediate medical attention forced a quick decision.
1st. Lt. Gott and his copilot decided to fly the flaming aircraft to friendly
territory and then attempt to crash land. Bombs were released on the target
and the crippled aircraft proceeded alone to Allied-controlled territory.
When that had been reached, 1st. Lt. Gott had the copilot personally inform
all crewmembers to bail out. The copilot chose to remain with 1st. Lt.
Gott in order to assist in landing the bomber. With only one normally functioning
engine, and with the danger of explosion much greater, the aircraft banked
into an open field, and when it was at an altitude of 100 feet it exploded,
crashed, exploded again and then disintegrated. All 3 crewmembers were
instantly killed. 1st. Lt. Gott's loyalty to his crew, his determination
to accomplish the task set forth to him, and his deed of knowingly performing
what may have been his last service to his country was an example of valor
at its highest.
*GRABIARZ, WILLIAM J.
Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army. Troop E, 5th
Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division. Place and date: Manila, Luzon, Philippine
Islands, 23 February 1945. Entered service at: Buffalo, N.Y. Birth: Buffalo,
N.Y. G.O. No.: 115, 8 December 1945. Citation: He was a scout when the
unit advanced with tanks along a street in Manila, Luzon, Philippine Islands.
Without warning, enemy machinegun and rifle fire from concealed positions
in the Customs building swept the street, striking down the troop commander
and driving his men to cover. As the officer lay in the open road, unable
to move and completely exposed to the pointblank enemy fire, Pfc. Grabiarz
voluntarily ran from behind a tank to carry him to safety, but was himself
wounded in the shoulder. Ignoring both the pain in his injured useless
arm and his comrades' shouts to seek the cover which was only a few yards
distant, the valiant rescuer continued his efforts to drag his commander
out of range. Finding this impossible, he rejected the opportunity to save
himself and deliberately covered the officer with his own body to form
a human shield, calling as he did so for a tank to maneuver into position
between him and the hostile emplacement. The enemy riddled him with concentrated
fire before the tank could interpose itself. Our troops found that he had
been successful in preventing bullets from striking his leader, who survived.
Through his magnificent sacrifice in gallantly giving his life to save
that of his commander, Pfc. Grabiarz provided an outstanding and lasting
inspiration to his fellow soldiers.
*GRAY, ROSS FRANKLIN
Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. Born: August
1920, Marvel Valley, Ala. Accredited to: Alabama. Citation: For conspicuous
gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the
call of duty as a Platoon Sergeant attached to Company A, 1st Battalion,
25th Marines, 4th Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces
on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 21 February 1945. Shrewdly gauging the tactical
situation when his platoon was held up by a sudden barrage of hostile grenades
while advancing toward the high ground northeast of Airfield No. 1, Sgt.
Gray promptly organized the withdrawal of his men from enemy grenade range,
quickly moved forward alone to reconnoiter and discovered a heavily mined
area extending along the front of a strong network of emplacements joined
by covered trenches. Although assailed by furious gunfire, he cleared a
path leading through the minefield to one of the fortifications, then returned
to the platoon position and, informing his leader of the serious situation,
volunteered to initiate an attack under cover of 3 fellow marines. Alone
and unarmed but carrying a huge satchel charge, he crept up on the Japanese
emplacement, boldly hurled the short-fused explosive and sealed the entrance.
Instantly taken under machinegun fire from a second entrance to the same
position, he unhesitatingly braved the increasingly vicious fusillades
to crawl back for another charge, returned to his objective and blasted
the second opening, thereby demolishing the position. Repeatedly covering
the ground between the savagely defended enemy fortifications and his platoon
area, he systematically approached, attacked and withdrew under blanketing
fire to destroy a total of 6 Japanese positions, more than 25 troops and
a quantity of vital ordnance gear and ammunition. Stouthearted and indomitable,
Sgt. Gray had single-handedly overcome a strong enemy garrison and had
completely disarmed a large minefield before finally rejoining his unit.
By his great personal valor, daring tactics and tenacious perseverance
in the face of extreme peril, he had contributed materially to the fulfillment
of his company mission. His gallant conduct throughout enhanced and sustained
the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.
GREGG, STEPHEN R.
Rank and organization: Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army, 143d Infantry,
36th Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Montelimar, France, 27 August
1944. Entered service at: Bayonne, N.J. Birth: New York, N.Y. G.O. No.:
31, 17 April 1945. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity
at risk of life above and beyond the call of duty on 27 August 1944, in
the vicinity of Montelimar, France. As his platoon advanced upon the enemy
positions; the leading scout was fired upon and 2d Lt. Gregg (then a Tech.
Sgt.) immediately put his machineguns into action to cover the advance
of the riflemen. The Germans, who were at close range, threw hand grenades
at the riflemen, killing some and wounding 7. Each time a medical aid man
attempted to reach the wounded, the Germans fired at him. Realizing the
seriousness of the situation, 2d Lt. Gregg took 1 of the light .30-caliber
machineguns, and firing from the hip, started boldly up the hill with the
medical aid man following him. Although the enemy was throwing hand grenades
at him, 2d Lt. Gregg remained and fired into the enemy positions while
the medical aid man removed the 7 wounded men to safety. When 2d Lt. Gregg
had expended all his ammunition, he was covered by 4 Germans who ordered
him to surrender. Since the attention of most of the Germans had been diverted
by watching this action, friendly riflemen were able to maneuver into firing
positions. One, seeing 2d Lt. Gregg's situation, opened fire on his captors.
The 4 Germans hit the ground and thereupon 2d Lt. Gregg recovered a machine
pistol from one of the Germans and managed to escape to his other machinegun
positions. He manned a gun, firing at his captors, killed 1 of them and
wounded the other. This action so discouraged the Germans that the platoon
was able to continue its advance up the hill to achieve its objective.
The following morning, just prior to daybreak, the Germans launched a strong
attack, supported by tanks, in an attempt to drive Company L from the hill.
As these tanks moved along the valley and their foot troops advanced up
the hill, 2d Lt. Gregg immediately ordered his mortars into action. During
the day by careful observation, he was able to direct effective fire on
the enemy, inflicting heavy casualties. By late afternoon he had directed
600 rounds when his communication to the mortars was knocked out. Without
hesitation he started checking his wires, although the area was under heavy
enemy small arms and artillery fire. When he was within 100 yards of his
mortar position, 1 of his men informed him that the section had been captured
and the Germans were using the mortars to fire on the company. 2d Lt. Gregg
with this man and another nearby rifleman started for the gun position
where he could see 5 Germans firing his mortars. He ordered the 2 men to
cover him, crawled up, threw a hand grenade into the position, and then
charged it. The hand grenade killed 1, injured 2, 2d Lt. Gregg took the
other 2 prisoners, and put his mortars back into action.
*GRUENNERT, KENNETH E.
Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company L, 127th Infantry,
32d Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Buna, New Guinea, 24 December
1942. Entered service at: Helenville, Wis. Birth: Helenville, Wis. G.O.
No.: 66, 11 October 1943. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity
in action above and beyond the call of duty. On 24 December 1942, near
Buna, New Guinea, Sgt. Gruennert was second in command of a platoon with
a mission to drive through the enemy lines to the beach 600 yards ahead.
Within 150 yards of the objective, the platoon encountered 2 hostile pillboxes.
Sgt. Gruennert advanced alone on the first and put it out of action with
hand grenades and rifle fire, killing 3 of the enemy. Seriously wounded
in the shoulder, he bandaged his wound under cover of the pillbox, refusing
to withdraw to the aid station and leave his men. He then, with undiminished
daring, and under extremely heavy fire, attacked the second pillbox. As
he neared it he threw grenades which forced the enemy out where they were
easy targets for his platoon. Before the leading elements of his platoon
could reach him he was shot by enemy snipers. His inspiring valor cleared
the way for his platoon which was the first to attain the beach in this
successful effort to split the enemy position.
*GURKE, HENRY
Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps. Born:
6 November 1922, Neche, N. Dak. Accredited to: North Dakota. Citation:
For extraordinary heroism and courage above and beyond the call of duty
while attached to the 3d Marine Raider Battalion during action against
enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands area on 9 November 1943. While
his platoon was engaged in the defense of a vital road block near Empress
Augusta Bay on Bougainville Island. Pfc. Gurke, in company with another
Marine, was delivering a fierce stream of fire against the main vanguard
of the Japanese. Concluding from the increasing ferocity of grenade barrages
that the enemy was determined to annihilate their small, 2-man foxhole,
he resorted to a bold and desperate measure for holding out despite the
torrential hail of shells. When a Japanese grenade dropped squarely into
the foxhole, Pfc. Gurke, mindful that his companion manned an automatic
weapon of superior fire power and therefore could provide more effective
resistance, thrust him roughly aside and flung his own body over the missile
to smother the explosion. With unswerving devotion to duty and superb valor,
Pfc. Gurke sacrificed himself in order that his comrade might live to carry
on the fight. He gallantly gave his life in the service of his country.
HALL, GEORGE J.
Rank and organization: Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, 135th Infantry, 34th
Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Anzio, Italy, 23 May 1944. Entered
service at: Boston, Mass. Born: 9 January 1921, Stoneham, Mass. G.O. No.:
24, 6 April 1945. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at
risk of life above and beyond the call of duty. Attacking across flat,
open terrain under direct enemy observation, S/Sgt. Hall's company was
pinned down by grazing fire from 3 enemy machineguns and harassing sniper
fire. S/Sgt. Hall volunteered to eliminate these obstacles in the path
of advance. Crawling along a plowed furrow through furious machinegun fire,
he made his way to a point within hand grenade range of 1 of the enemy
positions. He pounded the enemy with 4 hand grenades, and when the smoke
had died away, S/Sgt. Hall and 2 dead Germans occupied the position, while
4 of the enemy were crawling back to our lines as prisoners. Discovering
a quantity of German potato-masher grenades in the position, S/Sgt. Hall
engaged the second enemy nest in a deadly exchange of grenades. Each time
he exposed himself to throw a grenade the Germans fired machinegun bursts
at him. The vicious duel finally ended in S/Sgt. Hall's favor with 5 of
the enemy surrendered and 5 others lay dead. Turning his attention to the
third machinegun, S/Sgt. Hall left his position and crawled along a furrow,
the enemy firing frantically in an effort to halt him. As he neared his
final objective, an enemy artillery concentration fell on the area, and
S/Sgt. Hall's right leg was severed by a shellburst. With 2 enemy machineguns
eliminated, his company was able to flank the third and continue its advance
without incurring excessive casualties. S/Sgt. Hall's fearlessness, his
determined fighting spirit, and his prodigious combat skill exemplify the
heroic tradition of the American Infantryman.
*HALL, LEWIS
Rank and organization: Technician Fifth Grade, U.S. Army, Company M,
35th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division. Place and date: Mount Austen, Guadalcanal,
Solomon Islands, 10 January 1943. Entered service at: Obetz, Rural Station
7, Columbus, Ohio. Born: 1895, Bloom, Ohio. G.O. No.: 28, 5 June 1943.
Citation: For gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty.
As leader of a machinegun squad charged with the protection of other battalion
units, his group was attacked by a superior number of Japanese, his gunner
killed, his assistant gunner wounded, and an adjoining guncrew put out
of action. Ordered to withdraw from his hazardous position, he refused
to retire but rushed forward to the idle gun and with the aid of another
soldier who joined him and held up the machinegun by the tripod to increase
its field of action he opened fire and inflicted heavy casualties upon
the enemy. While so engaged both these gallant soldiers were killed, but
their sturdy defense was a decisive factor in the following success of
the attacking battalion.
HALL, WILLIAM E.
Rank and organization: Lieutenant, Junior Grade, U.S. Naval Reserve.
Place and date: Coral Sea, 7 and 8 May 1942. Entered service at: Utah.
Born: 31 October 1913, Storrs, Utah. Citation: For extreme courage and
conspicuous heroism in combat above and beyond the call of duty as pilot
of a scouting plane in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Coral
Sea on 7 and 8 May 1942. In a resolute and determined attack on 7 May,
Lt. (j.g.) Hall dived his plane at an enemy Japanese aircraft carrier,
contributing materially to the destruction of that vessel. On 8 May, facing
heavy and fierce fighter opposition, he again displayed extraordinary skill
as an airman and the aggressive spirit of a fighter in repeated and effectively
executed counterattacks against a superior number of enemy planes in which
3 enemy aircraft were destroyed. Though seriously wounded in this engagement,
Lt. (j.g.) Hall, maintaining the fearless and indomitable tactics pursued
throughout these actions, succeeded in landing his plane safe.
*HALLMAN, SHERWOOD H.
Rank and organization: Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, 175th Infantry, 29th
Infantry Division. Place and date: Brest, Brittany, France, 13 September
1944. Entered service at: Spring City, Pa. Birth: Spring City, Pa. G.O.
No.: 31, 17 April 1945. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity
at risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. On 13 September
1944, in Brittany, France, the 2d Battalion in its attack on the fortified
city of Brest was held up by a strongly defended enemy position which had
prevented its advance despite repeated attacks extending over a 3-day period.
Finally, Company F advanced to within several hundred yards of the enemy
position but was again halted by intense fire. Realizing that the position
must be neutralized without delay, S/Sgt. Hallman ordered his squad to
cover his movements with fire while he advanced alone to a point from which
he could make the assault. Without hesitating, S/Sgt. Hallman leaped over
a hedgerow into a sunken road, the central point of the German defenses
which was known to contain an enemy machinegun position and at least 30
enemy riflemen. Firing his carbine and hurling grenades, S/Sgt. Hallman,
unassisted, killed or wounded 4 of the enemy, then ordered the remainder
to surrender. Immediately, 12 of the enemy surrendered and the position
was shortly secured by the remainder of his company. Seeing the surrender
of this position, about 75 of the enemy in the vicinity surrendered, yielding
a defensive organization which the battalion with heavy supporting fires
had been unable to take. This single heroic act on the part of S/Sgt. Hallman
resulted in the immediate advance of the entire battalion for a distance
of 2,000 yards to a position from which Fort Keranroux was captured later
the same day. S/Sgt. Hallman's fighting determination and intrepidity in
battle exemplify the highest tradition of the U.S. Armed Forces.
*HALYBURTON, WILLIAM DAVID, JR.
Rank and organization: Pharmacist's Mate Second Class, U.S. Naval Reserve.
Born: 2 August 1924, Canton, N.C. Accredited to: North Carolina. Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above
and beyond the call of duty while serving with a Marine Rifle Company in
the 2d Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division, during action against
enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa Shima in the Ryukyu Chain, 10 May 1945.
Undaunted by the deadly accuracy of Japanese counterfire as his unit pushed
the attack through a strategically important draw, Halyburton unhesitatingly
dashed across the draw and up the hill into an open fire-swept field where
the company advance squad was suddenly pinned down under a terrific concentration
of mortar, machinegun and sniper fire with resultant severe casualties.
Moving steadily forward despite the enemy's merciless barrage, he reached
the wounded marine who lay farthest away and was rendering first aid when
his patient was struck for the second time by a Japanese bullet. Instantly
placing himself in the direct line of fire, he shielded the fallen fighter
with his own body and staunchly continued his ministrations although constantly
menaced by the slashing fury of shrapnel and bullets falling on all sides.
Alert, determined and completely unselfish in his concern for the helpless
marine, he persevered in his efforts until he himself sustained mortal
wounds and collapsed, heroically sacrificing himself that his comrade might
live. By his outstanding valor and unwavering devotion to duty in the face
of tremendous odds, Halyburton sustained and enhanced the highest traditions
of the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life in the service of
his country.
HAMILTON, PIERPONT M.
Rank and organization: Major, U.S. Army Air Corps. Place and date: Near
Port Lyautey, French Morocco, 8 November 1942. Entered service at: New
York, N.Y. Born: 3 August 1898, Tuxedo Park, N.Y. G.O. No.: 4, 23 January
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, Lt. Col. Hamilton volunteered to accompany Col. Demas Craw on
a dangerous mission to the French commander, designed to bring about a
cessation of hostilities. Driven away from the mouth of the Sebou River
by heavy shelling from all sides, the landing boat was finally beached
at Mehdia Plage despite continuous machinegun fire from 3 low-flying hostile
planes. Driven in a light truck toward French headquarters, this courageous
mission encountered intermittent firing, and as it neared Port Lyautey
a heavy burst of machinegun fire was delivered upon the truck from pointblank
range, killing Col. Craw instantly. Although captured immediately, after
this incident, Lt. Col. Hamilton completed the mission .
*HAMMERBERG, OWEN FRANCIS PATRICK
Rank and organization: Boatswain's Mate Second Class, U.S. Navy. Born:
31 May 1920, Daggett, Mich. Accredited to: Michigan. Citation: For conspicuous
gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the
call of duty as a diver engaged in rescue operations at West Loch, Pearl
Harbor, 17 February 1945. Aware of the danger when 2 fellow divers were
hopelessly trapped in a cave-in of steel wreckage while tunneling with
jet nozzles under an LST sunk in 40 feet of water and 20 feet of mud. Hammerberg
unhesitatingly went overboard in a valiant attempt to effect their rescue
despite the certain hazard of additional cave-ins and the risk of fouling
his lifeline on jagged pieces of steel imbedded in the shifting mud. Washing
a passage through the original excavation, he reached the first of the
trapped men, freed him from the wreckage and, working desperately in pitch-black
darkness, finally effected his release from fouled lines, thereby enabling
him to reach the surface. Wearied but undaunted after several hours of
arduous labor, Hammerberg resolved to continue his struggle to wash through
the oozing submarine, subterranean mud in a determined effort to save the
second diver. Venturing still farther under the buried hulk, he held tenaciously
to his purpose, reaching a place immediately above the other man just as
another cave-in occurred and a heavy piece of steel pinned him crosswise
over his shipmate in a position which protected the man beneath from further
injury while placing the full brunt of terrific pressure on himself. Although
he succumbed in agony 18 hours after he had gone to the aid of his fellow
divers, Hammerberg, by his cool judgment, unfaltering professional skill
and consistent disregard of all personal danger in the face of tremendous
odds, had contributed effectively to the saving of his 2 comrades. His
heroic spirit of self-sacrifice throughout enhanced and sustained the highest
traditions of the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life in the
service of his country.
*HANSEN, DALE MERLIN
Rank and organization: Private, U.S. Marine Corps. Born: 13 December
1922, Wisner, Nebr. Accredited to: Nebraska. Citation: For conspicuous
gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the
call of duty while serving with Company E, 2d Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st
Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa Shima
in the Ryukyu Chain, 7 May 1945. Cool and courageous in combat, Pvt. Hansen
unhesitatingly took the initiative during a critical stage of the action
and, armed with a rocket launcher, crawled to an exposed position where
he attacked and destroyed a strategically located hostile pillbox. With
his weapon subsequently destroyed by enemy fire, he seized a rifle and
continued his 1-man assault. Reaching the crest of a ridge, he leaped across,
opened fire on 6 Japanese and killed 4 before his rifle jammed. Attacked
by the remaining 2 Japanese, he beat them off with the butt of his rifle
and then climbed back to cover. Promptly returning with another weapon
and supply of grenades, he fearlessly advanced, destroyed a strong mortar
position and annihilated 8 more of the enemy. In the forefront of battle
throughout this bitterly waged engagement, Pvt. Hansen, by his indomitable
determination, bold tactics and complete disregard of all personal danger,
contributed essentially to the success of his company's mission and to
the ultimate capture of this fiercely defended outpost of the Japanese
Empire. His great personal valor in the face of extreme peril reflects
the highest credit upon himself and the U.S. Naval Service.
*HANSON, ROBERT MURRAY
Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve.
Born: 4 February 1920, Lucknow, India. Accredited to: Massachusetts. Other
Navy awards: Navy Cross, Air Medal. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry
and intrepidity at the risk of his life and above and beyond the call of
duty as fighter pilot attached to Marine Fighting Squadron 215 in action
against enemy Japanese forces at Bougainville Island, 1 November 1943;
and New Britain Island, 24 January 1944. Undeterred by fierce opposition,
and fearless in the face of overwhelming odds, 1st Lt. Hanson fought the
Japanese boldly and with daring aggressiveness. On 1 November, while flying
cover for our landing operations at Empress Augusta Bay, he dauntlessly
attacked 6 enemy torpedo bombers, forcing them to jettison their bombs
and destroying 1 Japanese plane during the action. Cut off from his division
while deep in enemy territory during a high cover flight over Simpson Harbor
on 24 January, 1st Lt. Hanson waged a lone and gallant battle against hostile
interceptors as they were orbiting to attack our bombers and, striking
with devastating fury, brought down 4 Zeroes and probably a fifth. Handling
his plane superbly in both pursuit and attack measures, he was a master
of individual air combat, accounting for a total of 25 Japanese aircraft
in this theater of war. His great personal valor and invincible fighting
spirit were in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.
*HARMON, ROY W.
Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company C, 362d Infantry,
91st Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Casaglia, Italy, 12 July 1944.
Entered service at: Pixley, Calif. Birth: Talala, Okla. G.O. No.: 83, 2
October 1945. Citation: He was an acting squad leader when heavy machinegun
fire from enemy positions, well dug in on commanding ground and camouflaged
by haystacks, stopped his company's advance and pinned down 1 platoon where
it was exposed to almost certain annihilation. Ordered to rescue the beleaguered
platoon by neutralizing the German automatic fire, he led his squad forward
along a draw to the right of the trapped unit against 3 key positions which
poured murderous fire into his helpless comrades. When within range, his
squad fired tracer bullets in an attempt to set fire to the 3 haystacks
which were strung out in a loose line directly to the front, 75, 150, and
250 yards away. Realizing that this attack was ineffective, Sgt. Harmon
ordered his squad to hold their position and voluntarily began a 1-man
assault. Carrying white phosphorus grenades and a submachine gun, he skillfully
took advantage of what little cover the terrain afforded and crept to within
25 yards of the first position. He set the haystack afire with a grenade,
and when 2 of the enemy attempted to flee from the inferno, he killed them
with his submachine gun. Crawling toward the second machinegun emplacement,
he attracted fire and was wounded; but he continued to advance and destroyed
the position with hand grenades, killing the occupants. He then attacked
the third machinegun, running to a small knoll, then crawling over ground
which offered no concealment or cover. About halfway to his objective,
he was again wounded. But he struggled ahead until within 20 yards of the
machinegun nest, where he raised himself to his knees to throw a grenade.
He was knocked down by direct enemy fire. With a final, magnificent effort,
he again arose, hurled the grenade and fell dead, riddled by bullets. His
missile fired the third position, destroying it. Sgt. Harmon's extraordinary
heroism, gallantry, and self-sacrifice saved a platoon from being wiped
out, and made it possible for his company to advance against powerful enemy
resistance.
*HARR, HARRY R.
Rank and organization: Corporal, U.S. Army, Company D, 124th Infantry,
31st Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Maglamin, Mindanao, Philippine
Islands, 5 June 1945. Entered service at: East Freedom, Pa. Birth: Pine
Croft, Pa. G.O. No.: 28, 28 March 1946. Citation: He displayed conspicuous
gallantry and intrepidity. In a fierce counterattack, the Japanese closed
in on his machinegun emplacement, hurling hand grenades, 1 of which exploded
under the gun, putting it out of action and wounding 2 of the crew. While
the remaining gunners were desperately attempting to repair their weapon
another grenade landed squarely in the emplacement. Quickly realizing he
could not safely throw the unexploded missile from the crowded position,
Cpl. Harr unhesitatingly covered it with his body to smother the blast.
His supremely courageous act, which cost him his life, saved 4 of his comrades
and enabled them to continue their mission.
HARRELL, WILLIAM GEORGE
Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps, 1st Battalion, 28th
Marines, 5th Marine Division. Place and date: Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands,
3 March 1945. Entered service at: Mercedes, Tex. Born: 26 June 1922, Rio
Grande City, Tex. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at
the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as leader of an
assault group attached to the 1st Battalion, 28th Marines, 5th Marine Division
during hand-to-hand combat with enemy Japanese at Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands,
on 3 March 1945. Standing watch alternately with another marine in a terrain
studded with caves and ravines, Sgt. Harrell was holding a position in
a perimeter defense around the company command post when Japanese troops
infiltrated our lines in the early hours of dawn. Awakened by a sudden
attack, he quickly opened fire with his carbine and killed 2 of the enemy
as they emerged from a ravine in the light of a star shellburst. Unmindful
of his danger as hostile grenades fell closer, he waged a fierce lone battle
until an exploding missile tore off his left hand and fractured his thigh.
He was vainly attempting to reload the carbine when his companion returned
from the command post with another weapon. Wounded again by a Japanese
who rushed the foxhole wielding a saber in the darkness, Sgt. Harrell succeeded
in drawing his pistol and killing his opponent and then ordered his wounded
companion to a place of safety. Exhausted by profuse bleeding but still
unbeaten, he fearlessly met the challenge of 2 more enemy troops who charged
his position and placed a grenade near his head. Killing 1 man with his
pistol, he grasped the sputtering grenade with his good right hand, and,
pushing it painfully toward the crouching soldier, saw his remaining assailant
destroyed but his own hand severed in the explosion. At dawn Sgt. Harrell
was evacuated from a position hedged by the bodies of 12 dead Japanese,
at least 5 of whom he had personally destroyed in his self-sacrificing
defense of the command post. His grim fortitude, exceptional valor, and
indomitable fighting spirit against almost insurmountable odds reflect
the highest credit upon himself and enhance the finest traditions of the
U.S. Naval Service.
*HARRIS, JAMES L.
Rank and organization: Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army, 756th Tank Battalion.
Place and date: At Vagney, France, 7 October 1944. Entered service at:
Hillsboro, Tex. Birth: Hillsboro, Tex. G.O. No.: 32, 23 April 1945. Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life above and beyond
the call of duty on 7 October 1944, in Vagney, France. At 9 p.m. an enemy
raiding party, comprising a tank and 2 platoons of infantry, infiltrated
through the lines under cover of mist and darkness and attacked an infantry
battalion command post with hand grenades, retiring a short distance to
an ambush position on hearing the approach of the M-4 tank commanded by
2d Lt. Harris. Realizing the need for bold aggressive action, 2d Lt. Harris
ordered his tank to halt while he proceeded on foot, fully 10 yards ahead
of his 6-man patrol and armed only with a service pistol, to probe the
darkness for the enemy. Although struck down and mortally wounded by machinegun
bullets which penetrated his solar plexus, he crawled back to his tank,
leaving a trail of blood behind him, and, too weak to climb inside it,
issued fire orders while lying on the road between the 2 contending armored
vehicles. Although the tank which he commanded was destroyed in the course
of the fire fight, he stood the enemy off until friendly tanks, preparing
to come to his aid, caused the enemy to withdraw and thereby lose an opportunity
to kill or capture the entire battalion command personnel. Suffering a
second wound, which severed his leg at the hip, in the course of this tank
duel, 2d Lt. Harris refused aid until after a wounded member of his crew
had been carried to safety. He died before he could be given medical attention.
*HASTINGS, JOE R.
Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, Company C, 386th
Infantry, 97th Infantry Division. Place and date: Drabenderhohe, Germany,
12 April 1945. Entered service at: Magnolia, Ohio. Birth: Malvern, Ohio.
G.O. No.: 101, 8 November 1945. Citation: He fought gallantly during an
attack against strong enemy forces defending Drabenderhohe, Germany, from
the dug-in positions on commanding ground. As squad leader of a light machinegun
section supporting the advance of the 1st and 3d Platoons, he braved direct
rifle, machinegun, 20mm., and mortar fire, some of which repeatedly missed
him only by inches, and rushed forward over 350 yards of open, rolling
fields to reach a position from which he could fire on the enemy troops.
From this vantage point he killed the crews of a 20mm. gun and a machinegun,
drove several enemy riflemen from their positions, and so successfully
shielded the 1st Platoon, that it had time to reorganize and remove its
wounded to safety. Observing that the 3d Platoon to his right was being
met by very heavy 40mm. and machinegun fire, he ran 150 yards with his
gun to the leading elements of that unit, where he killed the crew of the
40mm. gun. As spearhead of the 3d Platoon's attack, he advanced, firing
his gun held at hip height, disregarding the bullets that whipped past
him, until the assault had carried 175 yards to the objective. In this
charge he and the riflemen he led killed or wounded many of the fanatical
enemy and put 2 machineguns out of action. Pfc. Hastings, by his intrepidity,
outstanding leadership, and unrelenting determination to wipe out the formidable
German opposition, cleared the path for his company's advance into Drabenderhohe.
He was killed 4 days later while again supporting the 3d Platoon.
*HAUGE, LOUIS JAMES, JR.
Rank and organization: Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. Born: 12
December 1924, Ada, Minn. Accredited to: Minnesota. Citation: For conspicuous
gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the
call of duty as leader of a machinegun squad serving with Company C, 1st
Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese
forces on Okinawa Shima in the Ryukyu Chain on 14 May 1945. Alert and aggressive
during a determined assault against a strongly fortified Japanese hill
position, Cpl. Hauge boldly took the initiative when his company's left
flank was pinned down under a heavy machinegun and mortar barrage with
resultant severe casualties and, quickly locating the 2 machineguns which
were delivering the uninterrupted stream of enfilade fire, ordered his
squad to maintain a covering barrage as he rushed across an exposed area
toward the furiously blazing enemy weapons. Although painfully wounded
as he charged the first machinegun, he launched a vigorous single-handed
grenade attack, destroyed the entire hostile gun position and moved relentlessly
forward toward the other emplacement despite his wounds and the increasingly
heavy Japanese fire. Undaunted by the savage opposition, he again hurled
his deadly grenades with unerring aim and succeeded in demolishing the
second enemy gun before he fell under the slashing fury of Japanese sniper
fire. By his ready grasp of the critical situation and his heroic 1-man
assault tactics, Cpl. Hauge had eliminated 2 strategically placed enemy
weapons, thereby releasing the besieged troops from an overwhelming volume
of hostile fire and enabling his company to advance. His indomitable fighting
spirit and decisive valor in the face of almost certain death reflect the
highest credit upon Cpl. Hauge and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly
gave his life in the service of his country.
HAWK, JOHN D.
Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company E, 359th Infantry,
90th Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Chambois, France, 20 August
1944. Entered service at: Bremerton, Wash. Birth: San Francisco, Calif.
G.O. No.: 55, 13 July 1945. Citation: He manned a light machinegun on 20
August 1944, near Chambois, France, a key point in the encirclement which
created the Falaise Pocket. During an enemy counterattack, his position
was menaced by a strong force of tanks and infantry. His fire forced the
infantry to withdraw, but an artillery shell knocked out his gun and wounded
him in the right thigh. Securing a bazooka, he and another man stalked
the tanks and forced them to retire to a wooded section. In the lull which
followed, Sgt. Hawk reorganized 2 machinegun squads and, in the face of
intense enemy fire, directed the assembly of 1 workable weapon from 2 damaged
guns. When another enemy assault developed, he was forced to pull back
from the pressure of spearheading armor. Two of our tank destroyers were
brought up. Their shots were ineffective because of the terrain until Sgt.
Hawk, despite his wound, boldly climbed to an exposed position on a knoll
where, unmoved by fusillades from the enemy, he became a human aiming stake
for the destroyers. Realizing that his shouted fire directions could not
be heard above the noise of battle, he ran back to the destroyers through
a concentration of bullets and shrapnel to correct the range. He returned
to his exposed position, repeating this performance until 2 of the tanks
were knocked out and a third driven off. Still at great risk, he continued
to direct the destroyers' fire into the Germans' wooded position until
the enemy came out and surrendered. Sgt. Hawk's fearless initiative and
heroic conduct, even while suffering from a painful wound, was in large
measure responsible for crushing 2 desperate attempts of the enemy to escape
from the Falaise Picket and for taking more than 500 prisoners.
*HAWKINS, WILLIAM DEAN
Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps. Born: 19
.April 1914, Fort Scott, Kans. Appointed from: El Paso, Tex. Citation:
For valorous and gallant conduct above and beyond the call of duty as commanding
officer of a Scout Sniper Platoon attached to the Assault Regiment in action
against Japanese-held Tarawa in the Gilbert Island, 20 and 21 November
1943. The first to disembark from the jeep lighter, 1st Lt. Hawkins unhesitatingly
moved forward under heavy enemy fire at the end of the Betio Pier, neutralizing
emplacements in coverage of troops assaulting the main beach positions.
Fearlessly leading his men on to join the forces fighting desperately to
gain a beachhead, he repeatedly risked his life throughout the day and
night to direct and lead attacks on pillboxes and installations with grenades
and demolitions. At dawn on the following day, 1st Lt. Hawkins resumed
the dangerous mission of clearing the limited beachhead of Japanese resistance,
personally initiating an assault on a hostile position fortified by S enemy
machineguns, and, crawling forward in the face of withering fire, boldly
fired pointblank into the loopholes and completed the destruction with
grenades. Refusing to withdraw after being seriously wounded in the chest
during this skirmish, 1st Lt. Hawkins steadfastly carried the fight to
the enemy, destroying 3 more pillboxes before he was caught in a burst
of Japanese shellfire and mortally wounded. His relentless fighting spirit
in the face of formidable opposition and his exceptionally daring tactics
served as an inspiration to his comrades during the most crucial phase
of the battle and reflect the highest credit upon the U.S. Naval Service.
He gallantly gave his life for his country.
HAWKS, LLOYD C.
Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, Medical Detachment,
30th Infantry, 3d Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Carano, Italy,
30 January 1944. Entered service at: Park Rapids, Minn. Born: 13 January
1911, Becker, Minn. G.O. No.: 5, 15 January 1945. Citation: For gallantry
and intrepidity at risk of life above and beyond the call of duty. On 30
January 1944, at 3 p.m., near Carano, Italy, Pfc. Hawks braved an enemy
counterattack in order to rescue 2 wounded men who, unable to move, were
Iying in an exposed position within 30 yards of the enemy. Two riflemen,
attempting the rescue, had been forced to return to their fighting holes
by extremely severe enemy machinegun fire, after crawling only 10 yards
toward the casualties. An aid man, whom the enemy could plainly identify
as such, had been critically wounded in a similar attempt. Pfc. Hawks,
nevertheless, crawled 50 yards through a veritable hail of machinegun bullets
and flying mortar fragments to a small ditch, administered first aid to
his fellow aid man who had sought cover therein, and continued toward the
2 wounded men 50 yards distant. An enemy machinegun bullet penetrated his
helmet, knocking it from his head, momentarily stunning him. Thirteen bullets
passed through his helmet as it lay on the ground within 6 inches of his
body. Pfc. Hawks, crawled to the casualties, administered first aid to
the more seriously wounded man and dragged him to a covered position 25
yards distant. Despite continuous automatic fire from positions only 30
yards away and shells which exploded within 25 yards, Pfc. Hawks returned
to the second man and administered first aid to him. As he raised himself
to obtain bandages from his medical kit his right hip was shattered by
a burst of machinegun fire and a second burst splintered his left forearm.
Displaying dogged determination and extreme self-control, Pfc. Hawks, despite
severe pain and his dangling left arm, completed the task of bandaging
the remaining casualty and with superhuman effort dragged him to the same
depression to which he had brought the first man. Finding insufficient
cover for 3 men at this point, Pfc. Hawks crawled 75 yards in an effort
to regain his company, reaching the ditch in which his fellow aid man was
lying.
*HEDRICK, CLINTON M.
Rank and organization: Technical Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company I, 194th
Glider Infantry, 17th Airborne Division. Place and date: Near Lembeck,
Germany, 27-28 March 1945. Entered service at: Riverton, W. Va. Birth:
Cherrygrove, W. Va. G.O. No.: 89, 19 October 1945. Citation: He displayed
extraordinary heroism and gallantry in action on 2728 March 1945, in Germany.
Following an airborne landing near Wesel, his unit was assigned as the
assault platoon for the assault on Lembeck. Three times the landing elements
were pinned down by intense automatic weapons fire from strongly defended
positions. Each time, T/Sgt. Hedrick fearlessly charged through heavy fire,
shooting his automatic rifle from his hip. His courageous action so inspired
his men that they reduced the enemy positions in rapid succession. When
6 of the enemy attempted a surprise, flanking movement, he quickly turned
and killed the entire party with a burst of fire. Later, the enemy withdrew
across a moat into Lembeck Castle. T/Sgt. Hedrick, with utter disregard
for his own safety, plunged across the drawbridge alone in pursuit. When
a German soldier, with hands upraised, declared the garrison wished to
surrender, he entered the castle yard with 4 of his men to accept the capitulation.
The group moved through a sally port, and was met by fire from a German
self-propelled gun. Although mortally wounded, T/Sgt. Hedrick fired at
the enemy gun and covered the withdrawal of his comrades. He died while
being evacuated after the castle was taken. His great personal courage
and heroic leadership contributed in large measure to the speedy capture
of Lembeck and provided an inspiring example to his comrades.
HENDRIX, JAMES R.
Rank and organization: Private, U.S. Army, Company C, 53d Armored Infantry
Battalion, 4th Armored Division. Place and date: Near Assenois, Belgium,
26 December 1944. Entered service at: Lepanto, Ark. Birth: Lepanto, Ark.
G.O. No.: 74, 1 September 1945. Citation: On the night of 26 December 1944,
near Assenois, Belgium, he was with the leading element engaged in the
final thrust to break through to the besieged garrison at Bastogne when
halted by a fierce combination of artillery and small arms fire. He dismounted
from his half-track and advanced against two 88mm. guns, and, by the ferocity
of his rifle fire, compelled the guncrews to take cover and then to surrender.
Later in the attack he again left his vehicle, voluntarily, to aid 2 wounded
soldiers, helpless and exposed to intense machinegun fire. Effectively
silencing 2 hostile machineguns, he held off the enemy by his own fire
until the wounded men were evacuated. Pvt. Hendrix again distinguished
himself when he hastened to the aid of still another soldier who was trapped
in a burning half-track. Braving enemy sniper fire and exploding mines
and ammunition in the vehicle, he extricated the wounded man and extinguished
his flaming clothing, thereby saving the life of his fellow soldier. Pvt.
Hendrix, by his superb courage and heroism, exemplified the highest traditions
of the military service.
*HENRY, ROBERT T.
Rank and organization: Private, U.S. Army, 16th Infantry, 1st Infantry
Division. Place and date: Luchem, Germany, 3 December 1944. Entered service
at: Greenville, Miss. Birth: Greenville, Miss. G.O. No.: 45, 12 June 1945.
Citation: Near Luchem, Germany, he volunteered to attempt the destruction
of a nest of 5 enemy machineguns located in a bunker 150 yards to the flank
which had stopped the advance of his platoon. Stripping off his pack, overshoes,
helmet, and overcoat, he sprinted alone with his rifle and hand grenades
across the open terrain toward the enemy emplacement. Before he had gone
half the distance he was hit by a burst of machinegun fire. Dropping his
rifle, he continued to stagger forward until he fell mortally wounded only
10 yards from the enemy emplacement. His single-handed attack forced the
enemy to leave the machineguns. During this break in hostile fire the platoon
moved forward and overran the position. Pvt. Henry, by his gallantry and
intrepidity and utter disregard for his own life, enabled his company to
reach its objective, capturing this key defense and 70 German prisoners.
HERRERA, SILVESTRE S.
Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, Company E, 142d
Infantry, 36th Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Mertzwiller, France,
15 March 1945. Entered service at: Phoenix, Ariz. Birth: El Paso, Tex.
G.O. No.: 75, 5 September 1945. Citation: He advanced with a platoon along
a wooded road until stopped by heavy enemy machinegun fire. As the rest
of the unit took cover, he made a 1-man frontal assault on a strongpoint
and captured 8 enemy soldiers. When the platoon resumed its advance and
was subjected to fire from a second emplacement beyond an extensive minefield,
Pvt. Herrera again moved forward, disregarding the danger of exploding
mines, to attack the position. He stepped on a mine and had both feet severed
but, despite intense pain and unchecked loss of blood, he pinned down the
enemy with accurate rifle fire while a friendly squad captured the enemy
gun by skirting the minefield and rushing in from the flank. The magnificent
courage, extraordinary heroism, and willing self-sacrifice displayed by
Pvt. Herrera resulted in the capture of 2 enemy strongpoints and the taking
of 8 prisoners.
HERRING, RUFUS G.
Rank and organization: Lieutenant, U.S. Naval Reserve, LCI (G) 449.
Place and date: Iwo Jima, 17 February 1945. Entered service at: North Carolina.
Born: 11 June 1921, Roseboro, N.C. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry
and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty
as commanding officer of LCI (G) 449 operating as a unit of LCI (G) Group
8, during the preinvasion attack on Iwo Jima on 17 February 1945. Boldly
closing the strongly fortified shores under the devastating fire of Japanese
coastal defense guns, Lt. (then Lt. (j.g.)) Herring directed shattering
barrages of 40mm. and 20mm. gunfire against hostile beaches until struck
down by the enemy's savage counterfire which blasted the 449's heavy guns
and whipped her decks into sheets of flame. Regaining consciousness despite
profuse bleeding he was again critically wounded when a Japanese mortar
crashed the conning station, instantly killing or fatally wounding most
of the officers and leaving the ship wallowing without navigational control.
Upon recovering the second time, Lt. Herring resolutely climbed down to
the pilothouse and, fighting against his rapidly waning strength, took
over the helm, established communication with the engineroom, and carried
on valiantly until relief could be obtained. When no longer able to stand,
he propped himself against empty shell cases and rallied his men to the
aid of the wounded; he maintained position in the firing line with his
20mm. guns in action in the face of sustained enemy fire, and conned his
crippled ship to safety. His unwavering fortitude, aggressive perseverance,
and indomitable spirit against terrific odds reflect the highest credit
upon Lt. Herring and uphold the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.
*HILL, EDWIN JOSEPH
Rank and organization: Chief Boatswain, U.S. Navy. Born: 4 October 1894,
Philadelphia, Pa. Accredited to: Pennsylvania. Citation: For distinguished
conduct in the line of his profession, extraordinary courage, and disregard
of his own safety during the attack on the Fleet in Pearl Harbor, by Japanese
forces on 7 December 1941. During the height of the strafing and bombing,
Chief Boatswain Hill led his men of the linehandling details of the U.S.S.
Nevada to the quays, cast off the lines and swam back to his ship. Later,
while on the forecastle, attempting to let go the anchors, he was blown
overboard and killed by the explosion of several bombs.
HORNER, FREEMAN V.
Rank and organization: Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company K, 119th Infantry,
30th Infantry Division. Place and date: Wurselen, Germany, 16 November
1944. Entered service at: Shamokin, Pa. Birth: Mount Carmel, Pa. G.O. No.:
95, 30 October 1945. Citation: S/Sgt. Horner and other members of his company
were attacking Wurselen, Germany, against stubborn resistance on 16 November
1944, when machinegun fire from houses on the edge of the town pinned the
attackers in flat, open terrain 100 yards from their objective. As they
lay in the field, enemy artillery observers directed fire upon them, causing
serious casualties. Realizing that the machineguns must be eliminated in
order to permit the company to advance from its precarious position, S/Sgt.
Horner voluntarily stood up with his submachine gun and rushed into the
teeth of concentrated fire, burdened by a heavy load of ammunition and
hand grenades. Just as he reached a position of seeming safety, he was
fired on by a machinegun which had remained silent up until that time.
He coolly wheeled in his fully exposed position while bullets barely missed
him and killed 2 hostile gunners with a single, devastating burst. He turned
to face the fire of the other 2 machineguns, and dodging fire as he ran,
charged the 2 positions 50 yards away. Demoralized by their inability to
hit the intrepid infantryman, the enemy abandoned their guns and took cover
in the cellar of the house they occupied. S/Sgt. Horner burst into the
building, hurled 2 grenades down the cellar stairs, and called for the
Germans to surrender. Four men gave up to him. By his extraordinary courage,
S/Sgt. Horner destroyed 3 enemy machinegun positions, killed or captured
7 enemy, and cleared the path for his company's successful assault on Wurselen.
HOWARD, JAMES H. (Air Mission)
Rank and organization: Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army Air Corps. Place
and date: Over Oschersleben, Germany, 11 January 1944. Entered service
at: St. Louis, Mo. Birth: Canton, China. G.O. No.: 45, 5 June 1944. Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of
duty in action with the enemy near Oschersleben, Germany, on 11 January
1944. On that day Col. Howard was the leader of a group of P51 aircraft
providing support for a heavy bomber formation on a long-range mission
deep in enemy territory. As Col. Howard's group met the bombers in the
target area the bomber force was attacked by numerous enemy fighters. Col.
Howard, with his group, and at once engaged the enemy and himself destroyed
a German ME. 110. As a result of this attack Col. Howard lost contact with
his group, and at once returned to the level of the bomber formation. He
then saw that the bombers were being heavily attacked by enemy airplanes
and that no other friendly fighters were at hand. While Col. Howard could
have waited to attempt to assemble his group before engaging the enemy,
he chose instead to attack single-handed a formation of more than 30 German
airplanes. With utter disregard for his own safety he immediately pressed
home determined attacks for some 30 minutes, during which time he destroyed
3 enemy airplanes and probably destroyed and damaged others. Toward the
end of this engagement 3 of his guns went out of action and his fuel supply
was becoming dangerously low. Despite these handicaps and the almost insuperable
odds against him, Col. Howard continued his aggressive action in an attempt
to protect the bombers from the numerous fighters. His skill, courage,
and intrepidity on this occasion set an example of heroism which will be
an inspiration to the U.S. Armed Forces.
HUFF, PAUL B.
Rank and organization: Corporal, U.S. Army, 509th Parachute Infantry
Battalion. Place and date: Near Carano, Italy, 8 February 1944. Entered
service at: Cleveland, Tenn. Birth: Cleveland, Tenn. G.O. No.: 41, 26 May
1944. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life
above and beyond the call of duty, in action on 8 February 1944, near Carano,
Italy. Cpl. Huff volunteered to lead a 6-man patrol with the mission of
determining the location and strength of an enemy unit which was delivering
fire on the exposed right flank of his company. The terrain over which
he had to travel consisted of exposed, rolling ground, affording the enemy
excellent visibility. As the patrol advanced, its members were subjected
to small arms and machinegun fire and a concentration of mortar fire, shells
bursting within 5 to 10 yards of them and bullets striking the ground at
their feet. Moving ahead of his patrol, Cpl. Huff drew fire from 3 enemy
machineguns and a 20mm. weapon. Realizing the danger confronting his patrol,
he advanced alone under deadly fire through a minefield and arrived at
a point within 75 yards of the nearest machinegun position. Under direct
fire from the rear machinegun, he crawled the remaining 75 yards to the
closest emplacement, killed the crew with his submachine gun and destroyed
the gun. During this act he fired from a kneeling position which drew fire
from other positions, enabling him to estimate correctly the strength and
location of the enemy. Still under concentrated fire, he returned to his
patrol and led his men to safety. As a result of the information he gained,
a patrol in strength sent out that afternoon, 1 group under the leadership
of Cpl. Huff, succeeded in routing an enemy company of 125 men, killing
27 Germans and capturing 21 others, with a loss of only 3 patrol members.
Cpl. Huff's intrepid leadership and daring combat skill reflect the finest
traditions of the American infantryman.
*HUGHES, LLOYD H. (Air Mission)
Rank and organization: Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army Air Corps, 564th
Bomber Squadron, 389th Bomber Group, 9th Air Force. Place and date: Ploesti
Raid, Rumania, 1 August 1943. Entered service at: San Antonio, Tex. Born:
12 July 1921, Alexandria, La. G.O. No.: 17, 26 February 1944. Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry in action and intrepidity at the risk of his
life above and beyond the call of duty. On August 1943, 2d Lt. Hughes served
in the capacity of pilot of a heavy bombardment aircraft participating
in a long and hazardous minimum-altitude attack against the Axis oil refineries
of Ploesti, Rumania, launched from the northern shores of Africa. Flying
in the last formation to attack the target, he arrived in the target area
after previous flights had thoroughly alerted the enemy defenses. Approaching
the target through intense and accurate antiaircraft fire and dense balloon
barrages at dangerously low altitude, his plane received several direct
hits from both large and small caliber antiaircraft guns which seriously
damaged his aircraft, causing sheets of escaping gasoline to stream from
the bomb bay and from the left wing. This damage was inflicted at a time
prior to reaching the target when 2d Lt. Hughes could have made a forced
landing in any of the grain fields readily available at that time. The
target area was blazing with burning oil tanks and damaged refinery installations
from which flames leaped high above the bombing level of the formation.
With full knowledge of the consequences of entering this blazing inferno
when his airplane was profusely leaking gasoline in two separate locations,
2d Lt. Hughes, motivated only by his high conception of duty which called
for the destruction of his assigned target at any cost, did not elect to
make a forced landing or turn back from the attack. Instead, rather than
jeopardize the formation and the success of the attack, he unhesitatingly
entered the blazing area and dropped his bomb load with great precision.
After successfully bombing the objective, his aircraft emerged from the
conflagration with the left wing aflame. Only then did he attempt a forced
landing, but because of the advanced stage of the fire enveloping his aircraft
the plane crashed and was consumed. By 2d Lt. Hughes' heroic decision to
complete his mission regardless of the consequences in utter disregard
of his own life, and by his gallant and valorous execution of this decision,
he has rendered a service to our country in the defeat of our enemies which
will everlastingly be outstanding in the annals of our Nation's history.
*HUTCHINS, JOHNNIE DAVID
Rank and organization: Seaman First Class, U.S. Naval Reserve. Born:
4 August 1922, Weimer, Tex. Accredited to: Texas. Citation: For extraordinary
heroism and conspicuous valor above and beyond the call of duty while serving
on board a Landing Ship, Tank, during the assault on Lae, New Guinea, 4
September 1943. As the ship on which Hutchins was stationed approached
the enemy-occupied beach under a veritable hail of fire from Japanese shore
batteries and aerial bombardment, a hostile torpedo pierced the surf and
bore down upon the vessel with deadly accuracy. In the tense split seconds
before the helmsman could steer clear of the threatening missile, a bomb
struck the pilot house, dislodged him from his station, and left the stricken
ship helplessly exposed. Fully aware of the dire peril of the situation,
Hutchins, although mortally wounded by the shattering explosion, quickly
grasped the wheel and exhausted the last of his strength in maneuvering
the vessel clear of the advancing torpedo. Still clinging to the helm,
he eventually succumbed to his injuries, his final thoughts concerned only
with the safety of his ship, his final efforts expended toward the security
of his mission. He gallantly gave his life in the service of his country.
*JACHMAN, ISADORE S.
Rank and organization: Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company B, 513th Parachute
Infantry Regiment. Place and date: Flamierge, Belgium, 4 January 1945.
Entered service at: Baltimore, Md. Birth: Berlin, Germany. G.O. No.: 25,
9 June 1950. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above
and beyond the call of duty at Flamierge, Belgium, on 4 January 1945, when
his company was pinned down by enemy artillery, mortar, and small arms
fire, 2 hostile tanks attacked the unit, inflicting heavy. casualties.
S/Sgt. Jachman, seeing the desperate plight of his comrades, left his place
of cover and with total disregard for his own safety dashed across open
ground through a hail of fire and seizing a bazooka from a fallen comrade
advanced on the tanks, which concentrated their fire on him. Firing the
weapon alone, he damaged one and forced both to retire. S/Sgt. Jachman's
heroic action, in which he suffered fatal wounds, disrupted the entire
enemy attack, reflecting the highest credit upon himself and the parachute
infantry.
JACKSON, ARTHUR J.
Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps, 3d Battalion,
7th Marines, 1st Marine Division. Place and date: Island of Peleliu in
the Palau group, 18 September 1944. Entered service at: Oregon. Born: 18
October 1924, Cleveland Ohio. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity
at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving
with the 3d Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division, in action against
enemy Japanese forces on the Island of Peleliu in the Palau group, 18 September
1944. Boldly taking the initiative when his platoon's left flank advance
was held up by the fire of Japanese troops concealed in strongly fortified
positions, Pfc. Jackson unhesitatingly proceeded forward of our lines and,
courageously defying the heavy barrages, charged a large pillbox housing
approximately 35 enemy soldiers. Pouring his automatic fire into the opening
of the fixed installation to trap the occupying troops, he hurled white
phosphorus grenades and explosive charges brought up by a fellow marine,
demolishing the pillbox and killing all of the enemy. Advancing alone under
the continuous fire from other hostile emplacements, he employed similar
means to smash 2 smaller positions in the immediate vicinity. Determined
to crush the entire pocket of resistance although harassed on all sides
by the shattering blasts of Japanese weapons and covered only by small
rifle parties, he stormed 1 gun position after another, dealing death and
destruction to the savagely fighting enemy in his inexorable drive against
the remaining defenses, and succeeded in wiping out a total of 12 pillboxes
and 50 Japanese soldiers. Stouthearted and indomitable despite the terrific
odds. Pfc. Jackson resolutely maintained control of the platoon's left
flank movement throughout his valiant 1-man assault and, by his cool decision
and relentless fighting spirit during a critical situation, contributed
essentially to the complete annihilation of the enemy in the southern sector
of the island. His gallant initiative and heroic conduct in the face of
extreme peril reflect the highest credit upon Pfc. Jackson and the U.S.
Naval Service.
JACOBSON, DOUGLAS THOMAS
Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve,
3d Battalion, 23d Marines, 4th Marine Division. Place and date: Iwo Jima,
Volcano Islands, 26 February 1945. Entered service at: New York. Born:
25 November 1925, Rochester, N.Y. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and
intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while
serving with the 3d Battalion, 23d Marines, 4th Marine Division, in combat
against enemy Japanese forces during the seizure of Iwo Jima in the Volcano
Island, 26 February 1945. Promptly destroying a stubborn 20mm. antiaircraft
gun and its crew after assuming the duties of a bazooka man who had been
killed, Pfc. Jacobson waged a relentless battle as his unit fought desperately
toward the summit of Hill 382 in an effort to penetrate the heart of Japanese
cross-island defense. Employing his weapon with ready accuracy when his
platoon was halted by overwhelming enemy fire on 26 February, he first
destroyed 2 hostile machinegun positions, then attacked a large blockhouse,
completely neutralizing the fortification before dispatching the 5-man
crew of a second pillbox and exploding the installation with a terrific
demolitions blast. Moving steadily forward, he wiped out an earth-covered
rifle emplacement and, confronted by a cluster of similar emplacements
which constituted the perimeter of enemy defenses in his assigned sector,
fearlessly advanced, quickly reduced all 6 positions to a shambles, killed
10 of the enemy, and enabled our forces to occupy the strong point. Determined
to widen the breach thus forced, he volunteered his services to an adjacent
assault company, neutralized a pillbox holding up its advance, opened fire
on a Japanese tank pouring a steady stream of bullets on 1 of our supporting
tanks, and smashed the enemy tank's gun turret in a brief but furious action
culminating in a single-handed assault against still another blockhouse
and the subsequent neutralization of its firepower. By his dauntless skill
and valor, Pfc. Jacobson destroyed a total of 16 enemy positions and annihilated
approximately 75 Japanese, thereby contributing essentially to the success
of his division's operations against this fanatically defended outpost
of the Japanese Empire. His gallant conduct in the face of tremendous odds
enhanced and sustained the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.
*JERSTAD, JOHN L. (Air Mission)
Rank and organization: Major, U.S. Army Air Corps, 9th Air Force. Place
and date: Ploesti Raid, Rumania, 1 August 1943. Entered service at: Racine,
Wis. Born: 12 February 1918, Racine, Wis. G.O. No.: 72, 28 October 1943.
Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the
call of duty. On 1 August 1943, he served as pilot of the lead aircraft
in his group in a daring low-level attack against enemy oil refineries
and installations at Ploesti, Rumania. Although he had completed more than
his share of missions and was no longer connected with this group, so high
was his conception of duty that he volunteered to lead the formation in
the correct belief that his participation would contribute materially to
success in this attack. Maj. Jerstad led the formation into attack with
full realization of the extreme hazards involved and despite withering
fire from heavy and light antiaircraft guns. Three miles from the target
his airplane was hit, badly damaged, and set on fire. Ignoring the fact
that he was flying over a field suitable for a forced landing, he kept
on the course. After the bombs of his aircraft were released on the target,
the fire in his ship became so intense as to make further progress impossible
and he crashed into the target area. By his voluntary acceptance of a mission
he knew was extremely hazardous, and his assumption of an intrepid course
of action at the risk of life over and above the call of duty, Maj. Jerstad
set an example of heroism which will be an inspiration to the U.S. Armed
Forces.
*JOHNSON, ELDEN H.
Rank and organization: Private, U.S. Army, 15th Infantry, 3d Infantry
Division. Place and date: Near Valmontone, Italy, 3 June 1944. Entered
service at: East Weymouth, Mass. Birth: Bivalue, N.J. G.O. No.: 38, 16
May 1945. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of
life above and beyond the call of duty. Pvt. Johnson elected to sacrifice
his life in order that his comrades might extricate themselves from an
ambush. Braving the massed fire of about 60 riflemen, 3 machineguns, and
3 tanks from positions only 25 yards distant, he stood erect and signaled
his patrol leader to withdraw. The whole area was brightly illuminated
by enemy flares. Then, despite 20mm. machineguns, machine pistol, and rifle
fire directed at him, Pvt. Johnson advanced beyond the enemy in a slow
deliberate walk. Firing his automatic rifle from the hip, he succeeded
in distracting the enemy and enabled his 12 comrades to escape. Advancing
to within 5 yards of a machinegun, emptying his weapon, Pvt. Johnson killed
its crew. Standing in full view of the enemy he reloaded and turned on
the riflemen to the left, firing directly into their positions. He either
killed or wounded 4 of them. A burst of machinegun fire tore into Pvt.
Johnson and he dropped to his knees. Fighting to the very last, he steadied
himself on his knees and sent a final burst of fire crashing into another
German. With that he slumped forward dead. Pvt. Johnson had willingly given
his life in order that his comrades might live. These acts on the part
of Pvt. Johnson were an inspiration to the entire command and are in keeping
with the highest traditions of the armed forces.
JOHNSON, LEON W. (Air Mission)
Rank and organization: Colonel, U.S. Army Air Corps, 44th Bomber Group,
9th Air Force. Place and date: Ploesti Raid, Rumania, 1 August 1943. Entered
service at: Moline, Kans. Born: 13 September 1904, Columbia, Mo. G.O. No.:
54, 7 September 1943. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry in action and
intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty on
1 August 1943. Col. Johnson, as commanding officer of a heavy bombardment
group, let the formation of the aircraft of his organization constituting
the fourth element of the mass low-level bombing attack of the 9th U.S.
Air Force against the vitally important enemy target of the Ploesti oil
refineries. While proceeding to the target on this 2,400-mile flight, his
element became separated from the leading elements of the mass formation
in maintaining the formation of the unit while avoiding dangerous cumulous
cloud conditions encountered over mountainous territory. Though temporarily
lost, he reestablished contact with the third element and continued on
the mission with this reduced force to the prearranged point of attack,
where it was discovered that the target assigned to Col. Johnson's group
had been attacked and damaged by a preceding element. Though having lost
the element of surprise upon which the safety and success of such a daring
form of mission in heavy bombardment aircraft so strongly depended, Col.
Johnson elected to carry out his planned low-level attack despite the thoroughly
alerted defenses, the destructive antiaircraft fire, enemy fighter airplanes,
the imminent danger of exploding delayed action bombs from the previous
element, of oil fires and explosions, and of intense smoke obscuring the
target. By his gallant courage, brilliant leadership, and superior flying
skill, Col. Johnson so led his formation as to destroy totally the important
refining plants and installations which were the object of his mission.
Col. Johnson's personal contribution to the success of this historic raid,
and the conspicuous gallantry in action, and intrepidity at the risk of
his life above and beyond the call of duty demonstrated by him on this
occasion constitute such deeds of valor and distinguished service as have
during our Nation's history formed the finest traditions of our Armed Forces.
*JOHNSON, LEROY
Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company K, 126th Infantry,
32d Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Limon, Leyte, Philippine Islands,
15 December 1944. Entered service at: Oakdale, La. Birth: Caney Creek,
La. G.O. No.: 83, 2 October 1945. Citation: He was squad leader of a 9-man
patrol sent to reconnoiter a ridge held by a well-entrenched enemy force.
Seeing an enemy machinegun position, he ordered his men to remain behind
while he crawled to within 6 yards of the gun. One of the enemy crew jumped
up and prepared to man the weapon. Quickly withdrawing, Sgt. Johnson rejoined
his patrol and reported the situation to his commanding officer. Ordered
to destroy the gun, which covered the approaches to several other enemy
positions, he chose 3 other men, armed them with hand grenades, and led
them to a point near the objective. After taking partial cover behind a
log, the men had knocked out the gun and begun an assault when hostile
troops on the flank hurled several grenades. As he started for cover, Sgt.
Johnson saw 2 unexploded grenades which had fallen near his men. Knowing
that his comrades would be wounded or killed by the explosion, he deliberately
threw himself on the grenades and received their full charge in his body.
Fatally wounded by the blast, he died soon afterward. Through his outstanding
gallantry in sacrificing his life for his comrades, Sgt. Johnson provided
a shining example of the highest traditions of the U.S. Army.
JOHNSON, OSCAR G.
Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company B, 363d Infantry,
91st Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Scarperia, Italy, 1618 September
1944. Entered service at: Foster City, Mich. Birth: Foster City, Mich.
G.O. No.: 58, 19 July 1945. Citation: (then Pfc.) He practically single-handed
protected the left flank of his company's position in the offensive to
break the German's gothic line. Company B was the extreme left assault
unit of the corps. The advance was stopped by heavy fire from Monticelli
Ridge, and the company took cover behind an embankment. Sgt. Johnson, a
mortar gunner, having expended his ammunition, assumed the duties of a
rifleman. As leader of a squad of 7 men he was ordered to establish a combat
post 50 yards to the left of the company to cover its exposed flank. Repeated
enemy counterattacks, supported by artillery, mortar, and machinegun fire
from the high ground to his front, had by the afternoon of 16 September
killed or wounded all his men. Collecting weapons and ammunition from his
fallen comrades, in the face of hostile fire, he held his exposed position
and inflicted heavy casualties upon the enemy, who several times came close
enough to throw hand grenades. On the night of 1617 September, the enemy
launched his heaviest attack on Company B, putting his greatest pressure
against the lone defender of the left flank. In spite of mortar fire which
crashed about him and machinegun bullets which whipped the crest of his
shallow trench, Sgt. Johnson stood erect and repulsed the attack with grenades
and small arms fire. He remained awake and on the alert throughout the
night, frustrating all attempts at infiltration. On 17 September, 25 German
soldiers surrendered to him. Two men, sent to reinforce him that afternoon,
were caught in a devastating mortar and artillery barrage. With no thought
of his own safety, Sgt. Johnson rushed to the shell hole where they lay
half buried and seriously wounded, covered their position by his fire,
and assisted a Medical Corpsman in rendering aid. That night he secured
their removal to the rear and remained on watch until his company was relieved.
Five companies of a German paratroop regiment had been repeatedly committed
to the attack on Company B without success. Twenty dead Germans were found
in front of his position. By his heroic stand and utter disregard for personal
safety, Sgt. Johnson was in a large measure responsible for defeating the
enemy's attempts to turn the exposed left flank.
JOHNSTON, WILLIAM J.
Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, Company G, 180th
Infantry, 45th Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Padiglione, Italy,
1719 February 1944. Entered service at: Colchester, Conn. Birth: Trenton,
N.J. G.O. No.: 73, 6 September 1944. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry
and intrepidity at risk of life above and beyond the call of duty in action
against the enemy. On 17 February 1944, near Padiglione, Italy, he observed
and fired upon an attacking force of approximately 80 Germans, causing
at least 25 casualties and forcing withdrawal of the remainder. All that
day he manned his gun without relief, subject to mortar, artillery, and
sniper fire. Two Germans individually worked so close to his position that
his machinegun was ineffective, whereupon he killed 1 with his pistol,
the second with a rifle taken from another soldier. When a rifleman protecting
his gun position was killed by a sniper, he immediately moved the body
and relocated the machinegun in that spot in order to obtain a better field
of fire. He volunteered to cover the platoon's withdrawal and was the last
man to leave that night. In his new position he maintained an all-night
vigil, the next day causing 7 German casualties. On the afternoon of the
18th, the organization on the left flank having been forced to withdraw,
he again covered the withdrawal of his own organization. Shortly thereafter,
he was seriously wounded over the heart, and a passing soldier saw him
trying to crawl up the embankment. The soldier aided him to resume his
position behind the machinegun which was soon heard in action for about
10 minutes. Though reported killed, Pfc. Johnston was seen returning to
the American lines on the morning of 19 February slowly and painfully working
his way back from his overrun position through enemy lines. He gave valuable
information of new enemy dispositions. His heroic determination to destroy
the enemy and his disregard of his own safety aided immeasurably in halting
a strong enemy attack, caused an enormous amount of enemy casualties, and
so inspired his fellow soldiers that they fought for and held a vitally
important position against greatly superior forces.
*JONES, HERBERT CHARPOIT
Rank and organization: Ensign, U.S. Naval Reserve. Born: 1 December
1918, Los Angeles, Calif. Accredited to: California. 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. Ens. Jones organized
and led a party, which was supplying ammunition to the antiaircraft battery
of the U.S.S. California after the mechanical hoists were put out of action
when he was fatally wounded by a bomb explosion. When 2 men attempted to
take him from the area which was on fire, he refused to let them do so,
saying in words to the effect, "Leave me alone! I am done for. Get out
of here before the magazines go off."
*JULIAN, JOSEPH RODOLPH
Rank and organization: Platoon Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve.
Born: 3 April 1918, Sturbridge, Mass. Accredited to: Massachusetts. Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above
and beyond the call of duty as a P/Sgt. serving with the 1st Battalion,
27th Marines, 5th Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces
during the seizure of Iwo Jima in the Volcano Islands, 9 March 1945. Determined
to force a breakthrough when Japanese troops occupying trenches and fortified
positions on the left front laid down a terrific machinegun and mortar
barrage in a desperate effort to halt his company's advance, P/Sgt. Julian
quickly established his platoon's guns in strategic supporting positions,
and then, acting on his own initiative, fearlessly moved forward to execute
a 1-man assault on the nearest pillbox. Advancing alone, he hurled deadly
demolition and white phosphorus grenades into the emplacement, killing
2 of the enemy and driving the remaining 5 out into the adjoining trench
system. Seizing a discarded rifle, he jumped into the trench and dispatched
the 5 before they could make an escape. Intent on wiping out all resistance,
he obtained more explosives and, accompanied by another marine, again charged
the hostile fortifications and knocked out 2 more cave positions. Immediately
thereafter, he launched a bazooka attack unassisted, firing 4 rounds into
the 1 remaining pillbox and completely destroying it before he fell, mortally
wounded by a vicious burst of enemy fire. Stouthearted and indomitable,
P/Sgt. Julian consistently disregarded all personal danger and, by his
bold decision, daring tactics, and relentless fighting spirit during a
critical phase of the battle, contributed materially to the continued advance
of his company and to the success of his division's operations in the sustained
drive toward the conquest of this fiercely defended outpost of the Japanese
Empire. His outstanding valor and unfaltering spirit of self-sacrifice
throughout the bitter conflict sustained and enhanced the highest traditions
of the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
*KANDLE, VICTOR L.
Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, U.S. Army, 15th Infantry, 3d
Infantry Division. Place and date: Near La Forge, France, 9 October 1944.
Entered service at: Redwood City, Calif. Birth: Roy, Wash. G.O. No.: 37,
11 May 1945. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk
of his life above and beyond the call of duty. On 9 October 1944, at about
noon, near La Forge, France, 1st Lt. Kandle, while leading a reconnaissance
patrol into enemy territory, engaged in a duel at pointblank range with
a German field officer and killed him. Having already taken 5 enemy prisoners
that morning, he led a skeleton platoon of 16 men, reinforced with a light
machinegun squad, through fog and over precipitous mountain terrain to
fall on the rear of a German quarry stronghold which had checked the advance
of an infantry battalion for 2 days. Rushing forward, several yards ahead
of his assault elements, 1st Lt. Kandle fought his way into the heart of
the enemy strongpoint, and, by his boldness and audacity, forced the Germans
to surrender. Harassed by machinegun fire from a position which he had
bypassed in the dense fog, he moved to within 15 yards of the enemy, killed
a German machinegunner with accurate rifle fire and led his men in the
destruction of another machinegun crew and its rifle security elements.
Finally, he led his small force against a fortified house held by 2 German
officers and 30 enlisted men. After establishing a base of fire, he rushed
forward alone through an open clearing in full view of the enemy, smashed
through a barricaded door, and forced all 32 Germans to surrender. His
intrepidity and bold leadership resulted in the capture or killing of 3
enemy officers and 54 enlisted men, the destruction of 3 enemy strongpoints,
and the seizure of enemy positions which had halted a battalion attack.
KANE, JOHN R. (Air Mission)
Rank and organization: Colonel, U.S. Army Air Corps, 9th Air Force.
Place and date: Ploetsi Raid, Rumania, 1 August 1943. Entered service at:
Shreveport, La. Birth: McGregor, Tex. G.O. No.: 54, 9 August 1943. Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry in action and intrepidity at the risk of his
life above and beyond the call of duty on 1 August 1943. On this date he
led the third element of heavy bombardment aircraft in a mass low-level
bombing attack against the vitally important enemy target of the Ploesti
oil refineries. En route to the target, which necessitated a round-trip
flight of over 2,400 miles, Col. Kane's element became separated from the
leading portion of the massed formation in avoiding dense and dangerous
cumulous cloud conditions over mountainous terrain. Rather than turn back
from such a vital mission he elected to proceed to his target. Upon arrival
at the target area it was discovered that another group had apparently
missed its target and had previously attacked ??and damaged the target
assigned to Col. Kane's element. Despite the thoroughly warned defenses,
the intensive antiaircraft fire, enemy fighter airplanes, extreme hazards
on a low-level attack of exploding delayed action bombs from the previous
element, of oil fires and explosions and dense smoke over the target area,
Col. Kane elected to lead his formation into the attack. By his gallant
courage, brilliant leadership, and superior flying skill, he and the formation
under his command successfully attacked this vast refinery so essential
to our enemies' war effort. Through his conspicuous gallantry in this most
hazardous action against the enemy, and by his intrepidity at the risk
of his life above and beyond the call of duty, Col. Kane personally contributed
vitally to the success of this daring mission and thereby rendered most
distinguished service in the furtherance of the defeat of our enemies.
KEARBY, NEEL E. (Air Mission)
Rank and organization: Colonel, U.S. Army Air Corps. Place and date:
Near Wewak, New Guinea, 11 October 1943. Entered service at: Dallas, Tex.
Birth: Wichita Falls, Tex. G.O. No.: 3, 6 January 1944. Citation: For conspicuous
gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action with
the enemy, Col. Kearby volunteered to lead a flight of 4 fighters to reconnoiter
the strongly defended enemy base at Wewak. Having observed enemy installations
and reinforcements at 4 airfields, and secured important tactical information,
he saw an enemy fighter below him, made a diving attack and shot it down
in flames. The small formation then sighted approximately 12 enemy bombers
accompanied by 36 fighters. Although his mission had been completed, his
fuel was running low, and the numerical odds were 12 to 1, he gave the
signal to attack. Diving into the midst of the enemy airplanes he shot
down 3 in quick succession. Observing 1 of his comrades with 2 enemy fighters
in pursuit, he destroyed both enemy aircraft. The enemy broke off in large
numbers to make a multiple attack on his airplane but despite his peril
he made one more pass before seeking cloud protection. Coming into the
clear, he called his flight together and led them to a friendly base. Col.
Kearby brought down 6 enemy aircraft in this action, undertaken with superb
daring after his mission was completed.
*KEATHLEY, GEORGE D.
Rank and organization: Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, 85th Infantry Division.
Place and date: Mt. Altuzzo, Italy, 14 September 1944. Entered service
at: Lamesa, Tex. Birth: Olney, 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, in action on the western ridge of Mount Altuzzo, Italy.
After bitter fighting his company had advanced to within 50 yards of the
objective, where it was held up due to intense enemy sniper, automatic,
small arms, and mortar fire. The enemy launched 3 desperate counterattacks
in an effort to regain their former positions, but all 3 were repulsed
with heavy casualties on both sides. All officers and noncommissioned officers
of the 2d and 3d platoons of Company B had become casualties, and S/Sgt.
Keathley, guide of the 1st platoon, moved up and assumed command of both
the 2d and 3d platoons, reduced to 20 men. The remnants of the 2 platoons
were dangerously low on ammunition, so S/Sgt. Keathley, under deadly small
arms and mortar fire, crawled from 1 casualty to another, collecting their
ammunition and administering first aid. He then visited each man of his
2 platoons, issuing the precious ammunition he had collected from the dead
and wounded, and giving them words of encouragement. The enemy now delivered
their fourth counterattack, which was approximately 2 companies in strength.
In a furious charge they attacked from the front and both flanks, throwing
hand grenades, firing automatic weapons, and assisted by a terrific mortar
barrage. So strong was the enemy counterattack that the company was given
up for lost. The remnants of the 2d and 3d platoons of Company B were now
looking to S/Sgt. Keathley for leadership. He shouted his orders precisely
and with determination and the men responded with all that was in them.
Time after time the enemy tried to drive a wedge into S/Sgt. Keathley's
position and each time they were driven back, suffering huge casualties.
Suddenly an enemy hand grenade hit and exploded near S/Sgt. Keathley, inflicting
a mortal wound in his left side. However, hurling defiance at the enemy,
he rose to his feet. Taking his left hand away from his wound and using
it to steady his rifle, he fired and killed an attacking enemy soldier,
and continued shouting orders to his men. His heroic and intrepid action
so inspired his men that they fought with incomparable determination and
viciousness. For 15 minutes S/Sgt. Keathley continued leading his men and
effectively firing his rifle. He could have sought a sheltered spot and
perhaps saved his life, but instead he elected to set an example for his
men and make every possible effort to hold his position. Finally, friendly
artillery fire helped to force the enemy to withdraw, leaving behind many
of their number either dead or seriously wounded. S/Sgt. Keathley died
a few moments later. Had it not been for his indomitable courage and incomparable
heroism, the remnants of 3 rifle platoons of Company B might well have
been annihilated by the overwhelming enemy attacking force. His actions
were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service.
*KEFURT, GUS
Rank and organization: Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company K, 15th Infantry,
3d Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Bennwihr, France, 2324 December
1944. Entered service at: Youngstown, Ohio. Birth: Greenville, Pa. Citation:
He distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above
and beyond the call of duty on 23 and 24 December 1944, near Bennwihr,
France. Early in the attack S/Sgt. Kefurt jumped through an opening in
a wall to be confronted by about 15 Germans. Although outnumbered he opened
fire, killing 10 and capturing the others. During a seesaw battle which
developed he effectively adjusted artillery fire on an enemy tank close
to his position although exposed to small arms fire. When night fell he
maintained a 3-man outpost in the center of the town in the middle of the
German positions and successfully fought off several hostile patrols attempting
to penetrate our lines. Assuming command of his platoon the following morning
he led it in hand-to-hand fighting through the town until blocked by a
tank. Using rifle grenades he forced surrender of its crew and some supporting
infantry. He then continued his attack from house to house against heavy
machinegun and rifle fire. Advancing against a strongpoint that was holding
up the company, his platoon was subjected to a strong counterattack and
infiltration to its rear. Suffering heavy casualties in their exposed position
the men remained there due to S/Sgt. Kefurt's personal example of bravery,
determination and leadership. He constantly exposed himself to fire by
going from man to man to direct fire. During this time he killed approximately
15 of the enemy at close range. Although severely wounded in the leg he
refused first aid and immediately resumed fighting. When the forces to
his rear were pushed back 3 hours later, he refused to be evacuated, but,
during several more counterattacks moved painfully about under intense
small arms and mortar fire, stiffening the resistance of his platoon by
encouraging individual men and by his own fire until he was killed. As
a result of S/Sgt. Kefurt's gallantry the position was maintained.
*KELLEY, JONAH E.
Rank and organization: Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, 311th Infantry, 78th
Infantry Division. Place and date: Kesternich, Germany, 3031 January 1945.
Entered service at: Keyser, W. Va. Birth: Roda, W. Va. G.O. No.: 77, 10
September 1945. Citation: In charge of the leading squad of Company E,
he heroically spearheaded the attack in furious house-to-house fighting.
Early on 30 January, he led his men through intense mortar and small arms
fire in repeated assaults on barricaded houses. Although twice wounded,
once when struck in the back, the second time when a mortar shell fragment
passed through his left hand and rendered it practically useless, he refused
to withdraw and continued to lead his squad after hasty dressings had been
applied. His serious wounds forced him to fire his rifle with 1 hand, resting
it on rubble or over his left forearm. To blast his way forward with hand
grenades, he set aside his rifle to pull the pins with his teeth while
grasping the missiles with his good hand. Despite these handicaps, he created
tremendous havoc in the enemy ranks. He rushed l house, killing 3 of the
enemy and clearing the way for his squad to advance. On approaching the
next house, he was fired upon from an upstairs window. He killed the sniper
with a single shot and similarly accounted for another enemy soldier who
ran from the cellar of the house. As darkness came, he assigned his men
to defensive positions, never leaving them to seek medical attention. At
dawn the next day, the squad resumed the attack, advancing to a point where
heavy automatic and small arms fire stalled them. Despite his wounds, S/Sgt.
Kelley moved out alone, located an enemy gunner dug in under a haystack
and killed him with rifle fire. He returned to his men and found that a
German machinegun, from a well-protected position in a neighboring house,
still held up the advance. Ordering the squad to remain in comparatively
safe positions, he valiantly dashed into the open and attacked the position
single-handedly through a hail of bullets. He was hit several times and
fell to his knees when within 25 yards of his objective; but he summoned
his waning strength and emptied his rifle into the machinegun nest, silencing
the weapon before he died. The superb courage, aggressiveness, and utter
disregard for his own safety displayed by S/Sgt. Kelley inspired the men
he led and enabled them to penetrate the last line of defense held by the
enemy in the village of Kesternich .
*KELLEY, OVA A.
Rank and organization: Private, U.S. Army, Company A, 382d Infantry,
96th Infantry Division. Place and date: Leyte, Philippine Islands, 8 December
1944. Entered service at: Norwood, Mo. Birth: Norwood, Mo. G.O. No.: 89
19 October 1945. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at
the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Before dawn, near
the edge of the enemy-held Buri airstrip, the company was immobilized by
heavy, accurate rifle and machinegun fire from hostile troops entrenched
in bomb craters and a ditch less than 100 yards distant. The company commander
ordered a mortar concentration which destroyed 1 machinegun but failed
to dislodge the main body of the enemy. At this critical moment Pvt. Kelley,
on his own initiative, left his shallow foxhole with an armload of hand
grenades and began a 1-man assault on the foe. Throwing his missiles with
great accuracy, he moved forward, killed or wounded 5 men, and forced the
remainder to flee in a disorganized route. He picked up a M-1 rifle and
emptied its clip at the running Japanese, killing 3. Discarding this weapon,
he took a carbine and killed 3 more of the enemy. Inspired by his example,
his comrades followed him in a charge which destroyed the entire enemy
force of 34 enlisted men and 2 officers and captured 2 heavy and 1 light
machineguns. Pvt. Kelley continued to press the attack on to an airstrip,
where sniper fire wounded him so grievously that he died 2 days later.
His outstanding courage, aggressiveness, and initiative in the face of
grave danger was an inspiration to his entire company and led to the success
of the attack.
KELLY, CHARLES E.
Rank and organization: Corporal, U.S. Army, Company L, 143d Infantry,
36th Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Altavilla, Italy, 13 September
1943. Entered service at: Pittsburgh, Pa. Birth: Pittsburgh, Pa. G.O. No.:
13, 18 February 1944. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity
at risk of life above and beyond the call of duty. On 13 September 1943,
near Altavilla, Italy, Cpl. Kelly voluntarily joined a patrol which located
and neutralized enemy machinegun positions. After this hazardous duty he
volunteered to establish contact with a battalion of U.S. infantry which
was believed to be located on Hill 315, a mile distant. He traveled over
a route commanded by enemy observation and under sniper, mortar, and artillery
fire; and later he returned with the correct information that the enemy
occupied Hill 315 in organized positions. Immediately thereafter Cpl. Kelly,
again a volunteer patrol member, assisted materially in the destruction
of 2 enemy machinegun nests under conditions requiring great skill and
courage. Having effectively fired his weapon until all the ammunition was
exhausted, he secured permission to obtain more at an ammunition dump.
Arriving at the dump, which was located near a storehouse on the extreme
flank of his regiment's position, Cpl. Kelly found that the Germans were
attacking ferociously at this point. He obtained his ammunition and was
given the mission of protecting the rear of the storehouse. He held his
position throughout the night. The following morning the enemy attack was
resumed. Cpl. Kelly took a position at an open window of the storehouse.
One machine gunner had been killed at this position and several other soldiers
wounded. Cpl. Kelly delivered continuous aimed and effective fire upon
the enemy with his automatic rifle until the weapon locked from overheating.
Finding another automatic rifle, he again directed effective fire upon
the enemy until this weapon also locked. At this critical point, with the
enemy threatening to overrun the position, Cpl. Kelly picked up 60mm. mortar
shells, pulled the safety pins, and used the shells as grenades, killing
at least 5 of the enemy. When it became imperative that the house be evacuated,
Cpl. Kelly, despite his sergeant's injunctions, volunteered to hold the
position until the remainder of the detachment could withdraw. As the detachment
moved out, Cpl. Kelly was observed deliberately loading and firing a rocket
launcher from the window. He was successful in covering the withdrawal
of the unit, and later in joining his own organization. Cpl. Kelly's fighting
determination and intrepidity in battle exemplify the highest traditions
of the U.S. Armed Forces.
*KELLY, JOHN D.
Rank and organization: Technical Sergeant (then Corporal), U.S. Army,
Company E, 314th Infantry, 79th Infantry Division. Place and date: Fort
du Roule, Cherbourg, France, 25 June 1944. Entered service at: Cambridge
Springs, Pa. Birth: Venango Township, Pa. G.O. No.: 6, 24 January 1945.
Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his
life above and beyond the call of duty. On 25 June 1944, in the vicinity
of Fort du Roule, Cherbourg, France, when Cpl. Kelly's unit was pinned
down by heavy enemy machinegun fire emanating from a deeply entrenched
strongpoint on the slope leading up to the fort, Cpl. Kelly volunteered
to attempt to neutralize the strongpoint. Arming himself with a pole charge
about 10 feet long and with 15 pounds of explosive affixed, he climbed
the slope under a withering blast of machinegun fire and placed the charge
at the strongpoint's base. The subsequent blast was ineffective, and again,
alone and unhesitatingly, he braved the slope to repeat the operation.
This second blast blew off the ends of the enemy guns. Cpl. Kelly then
climbed the slope a third time to place a pole charge at the strongpoint's
rear entrance. When this had been blown open he hurled hand grenades inside
the position, forcing survivors of the enemy guncrews to come out and surrender
The gallantry, tenacity of purpose, and utter disregard for personal safety
displayed by Cpl. Kelly were an incentive to his comrades and worthy of
emulation by all.
KELLY, THOMAS J.
Rank and organization: Corporal, U.S. Army, Medical Detachment, 48th
Armored Infantry Battalion, 7th Armored Division. Place and date: Alemert,
Germany, 5 April 1945. Entered service at: Brooklyn, N.Y. Birth: Brooklyn,
N.Y. G.O. No.: 97, 1 November 1945. Citation: He was an aid man with the
1st Platoon of Company C during an attack on the town of Alemert, Germany.
The platoon, committed in a flanking maneuver, had advanced down a small,
open valley overlooked by wooded slopes hiding enemy machineguns and tanks,
when the attack was stopped by murderous fire that inflicted heavy casualties
in the American ranks. Ordered to withdraw, Cpl. Kelly reached safety with
uninjured remnants of the unit, but, on realizing the extent of casualties
suffered by the platoon, voluntarily retraced his steps and began evacuating
his comrades under direct machinegun fire. He was forced to crawl, dragging
the injured behind him for most of the 300 yards separating the exposed
area from a place of comparative safety. Two other volunteers who attempted
to negotiate the hazardous route with him were mortally wounded, but he
kept on with his herculean task after dressing their wounds and carrying
them to friendly hands. In all, he made 10 separate trips through the brutal
fire, each time bringing out a man from the death trap. Seven more casualties
who were able to crawl by themselves he guided and encouraged in escaping
from the hail of fire. After he had completed his heroic, self-imposed
task and was near collapse from fatigue, he refused to leave his platoon
until the attack had been resumed and the objective taken. Cpl. Kelly's
gallantry and intrepidity in the face of seemingly certain death saved
the lives of many of his fellow soldiers and was an example of bravery
under fire.
*KEPPLER, REINHARDT JOHN
Rank and organization: Boatswain's Mate First Class, U.S. Navy. Born:
22 January 1918, Ralston, Wash. Accredited to: Washington. Other Navy award:
Navy Cross. Citation: For extraordinary heroism and distinguished courage
above and beyond the call of duty while serving aboard the U.S.S. San Francisco
during action against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands, 1213
November 1942. When a hostile torpedo plane, during a daylight air raid,
crashed on the after machine-gun platform, Keppler promptly assisted in
removal of the dead and, by his capable supervision of the wounded, undoubtedly
helped save the lives of several shipmates who otherwise might have perished.
That night, when the ship's hangar was set afire during the great battle
off Savo Island, he bravely led a hose into the starboard side of the stricken
area and there, without assistance and despite frequent hits from terrific
enemy bombardment, eventually brought the fire under control. Later, although
mortally wounded, he labored valiantly in the midst of bursting shells,
persistently directing fire-fighting operations and administering to wounded
personnel until he finally collapsed from loss of blood. His great personal
valor, maintained with utter disregard of personal safety, was in keeping
with the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave
his life for his country.
KERSTETTER, DEXTER J.
Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, Company C, 130th
Infantry, 33d Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Galiano, Luzon, Philippine
Islands, 13 April 1945. Entered service at: Centralia, Wash. Birth: Centralia,
Wash. G.O. No.: 97,1 November 1945. Citation: He was with his unit in a
dawn attack against hill positions approachable only along a narrow ridge
paralleled on each side by steep cliffs which were heavily defended by
enemy mortars, machineguns, and rifles in well-camouflaged spider holes
and tunnels leading to caves. When the leading element was halted by intense
fire that inflicted 5 casualties, Pfc. Kerstetter passed through the American
line with his squad. Placing himself well in advance of his men, he grimly
worked his way up the narrow steep hogback, meeting the brunt of enemy
action. With well-aimed shots and rifle-grenade fire, he forced the Japs
to take cover. He left the trail and moving down a cliff that offered only
precarious footholds, dropped among 4 Japs at the entrance to a cave, fired
his rifle from his hip and killed them all. Climbing back to the trail,
he advanced against heavy enemy machinegun, rifle, and mortar fire to silence
a heavy machinegun by killing its crew of 4 with rifle fire and grenades.
He expended his remaining ammunition and grenades on a group of approximately
20 Japs, scattering them, and returned to his squad for more ammunition
and first aid for his left hand, which had been blistered by the heat from
his rifle. Resupplied, he guided a fresh platoon into a position from which
a concerted attack could be launched, killing 3 hostile soldiers on the
way. In all, he dispatched 16 Japs that day. The hill was taken and held
against the enemy's counterattacks, which continued for 3 days. Pfc. Kerstetter's
dauntless and gallant heroism was largely responsible for the capture of
this key enemy position, and his fearless attack in the face of great odds
was an inspiration to his comrades in their dangerous task.
*KESSLER, PATRICK L.
Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, Company K, 30th
Infantry, 3d Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Ponte Rotto, Italy,
23 May 1944. Entered service at: Middletown, Ohio. Birth: Middletown, Ohio.
G.O. No.: 1, 4 January 1945. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity
at risk of life above and beyond the call of duty. Pfc. Kessler, acting
without orders, raced 50 yards through a hail of machinegun fire, which
had killed 5 of his comrades and halted the advance of his company, in
order to form an assault group to destroy the machinegun. Ordering 3 men
to act as a base of fire, he left the cover of a ditch and snaked his way
to a point within 50 yards of the enemy machinegun before he was discovered,
whereupon he plunged headlong into the furious chain of automatic fire.
Reaching a spot within 6 feet of the emplacement he stood over it and killed
both the gunner and his assistant, jumped into the gun position, overpowered
and captured a third German after a short struggle. The remaining member
of the crew escaped, but Pfc. Kessler wounded him as he ran. While taking
his prisoner to the rear, this soldier saw 2 of his comrades killed as
they assaulted an enemy strongpoint, fire from which had already killed
10 men in the company. Turning his prisoner over to another man, Pfc. Kessler
crawled 35 yards to the side of 1 of the casualties, relieved him of his
BAR and ammunition and continued on toward the strongpoint, 125 yards distant.
Although 2 machineguns concentrated their fire directly on him and shells
exploded within 10 yards, bowling him over, Pfc. Kessler crawled 75 yards,
passing through an antipersonnel minefield to a point within 50 yards of
the enemy and engaged the machineguns in a duel. When an artillery shell
burst within a few feet of him, he left the cover of a ditch and advanced
upon the position in a slow walk, firing his BAR from the hip. Although
the enemy poured heavy machinegun and small arms fire at him, Pfc. Kessler
succeeded in reaching the edge of their position, killed the gunners, and
captured 13 Germans. Then, despite continuous shelling, he started to the
rear. After going 25 yards, Pfc. Kessler was fired upon by 2 snipers only
100 yards away. Several of his prisoners took advantage of this opportunity
and attempted to escape; however, Pfc. Kessler hit the ground, fired on
either flank of his prisoners, forcing them to cover, and then engaged
the 2 snipers in a fire fight, and captured them. With this last threat
removed, Company K continued its advance, capturing its objective without
further opposition. Pfc. Kessler was killed in a subsequent action.
*KIDD, ISAAC CAMPBELL
Rank and organization: Rear Admiral, U.S. Navy. Born: 26 March 1884,
Cleveland, Ohio. Appointed from: Ohio. Citation: For conspicuous devotion
to duty, extraordinary courage and complete disregard of his own life,
during the attack on the Fleet in Pearl Harbor, by Japanese forces on 7
December 1941. Rear Adm. Kidd immediately went to the bridge and, as Commander
Battleship Division One, courageously discharged his duties as Senior Officer
Present Afloat until the U.S.S. Arizona, his Flagship, blew up from magazine
explosions and a direct bomb hit on the bridge which resulted in the loss
of his life.
*KIMBRO, TRUMAN
Rank and organization: Technician Fourth Grade, U.S. Army, Company C,
2d Engineer Combat Battalion, 2d Infantry Division. Place and date: Near
Rocherath, Belgium, 19 December 1944. Entered service at: Houston, Tex.
Birth: Madisonville, Tex. G.O. No.: 42, 24 May 1945. Citation: On 19 December
1944, as scout, he led a squad assigned to the mission of mining a vital
crossroads near Rocherath, Belgium. At the first attempt to reach the objective,
he discovered it was occupied by an enemy tank and at least 20 infantrymen.
Driven back by withering fire, Technician 4th Grade Kimbro made 2 more
attempts to lead his squad to the crossroads but all approaches were covered
by intense enemy fire. Although warned by our own infantrymen of the great
danger involved, he left his squad in a protected place and, laden with
mines, crawled alone toward the crossroads. When nearing his objective
he was severely wounded, but he continued to drag himself forward and laid
his mines across the road. As he tried to crawl from the objective his
body was riddled with rifle and machinegun fire. The mines laid by his
act of indomitable courage delayed the advance of enemy armor and prevented
the rear of our withdrawing columns from being attacked by the enemy.
*KINER, HAROLD G.
Rank and organization: Private, U.S. Army, Company F, 117th Infantry,
30th Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Palenberg, Germany, 2 October
1944. Entered service at: Enid, Okla. Birth: Aline, Okla. G.O. No.: 48,
23 June 1945. With 4 other men, he was leading in a frontal assault 2 October
1944, on a Siegfried Line pillbox near Palenberg, Germany. Machinegun fire
from the strongly defended enemy position 25 yards away pinned down the
attackers. The Germans threw hand grenades, 1 of which dropped between
Pvt. Kiner and 2 other men. With no hesitation, Private Kiner hurled himself
upon the grenade, smothering the explosion. By his gallant action and voluntary
sacrifice of his own life, he saved his 2 comrades from serious injury
or death.
*KINGSLEY, DAVID R. (Air Mission)
Rank and organization: Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army Air Corps, 97th
Bombardment Group, 15th Air Force. Place and date: Ploesti Raid, Rumania,
23 June 1944. Entered service at. Portland, Oreg. Birth: Oregon. G.O. No.:
26, 9 April 1945. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in
action at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty, 23 June 1944
near Ploesti, Rumania, while flying as bombardier of a B17 type aircraft.
On the bomb run 2d Lt. Kingsley's aircraft was severely damaged by intense
flak and forced to drop out of formation but the pilot proceeded over the
target and 2d Lt. Kingsley successfully dropped his bombs, causing severe
damage to vital installations. The damaged aircraft, forced to lose altitude
and to lag behind the formation, was aggressively attacked by 3 ME-109
aircraft, causing more damage to the aircraft and severely wounding the
tail gunner in the upper arm. The radio operator and engineer notified
2d Lt. Kingsley that the tail gunner had been wounded and that assistance
was needed to check the bleeding. 2d Lt. Kingsley made his way back to
the radio room, skillfully applied first aid to the wound, and succeeded
in checking the bleeding. The tail gunner's parachute harness and heavy
clothes were removed and he was covered with blankets, making him as comfortable
as possible. Eight ME-109 aircraft again aggressively attacked 2d Lt. Kingsley's
aircraft and the ball turret gunner was wounded by 20mm. shell fragments.
He went forward to the radio room to have 2d Lt. Kingsley administer first
aid. A few minutes later when the pilot gave the order to prepare to bail
out, 2d Lt. Kingsley immediately began to assist the wounded gunners in
putting on their parachute harness. In the confusion the tail gunner's
harness, believed to have been damaged, could not be located in the bundle
of blankets and flying clothes which had been removed from the wounded
men. With utter disregard for his own means of escape, 2d Lt. Kingsley
unhesitatingly removed his parachute harness and adjusted it to the wounded
tail gunner. Due to the extensive damage caused by the accurate and concentrated
20mm. fire by the enemy aircraft the pilot gave the order to bail out,
as it appeared that the aircraft would disintegrate at any moment. 2d Lt.
Kingsley aided the wounded men in bailing out and when last seen by the
crewmembers he was standing on the bomb bay catwalk. The aircraft continued
to fly on automatic pilot for a short distance, then crashed and burned.
His body was later found in the wreckage. 2d Lt. Kingsley by his gallant
heroic action was directly responsible for saving the life of the wounded
gunner.
*KINSER, ELBERT LUTHER
Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. Born: 21
October 1922, Greeneville, Tenn. Accredited to: Tennessee. Citation: For
conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and
beyond the call of duty while acting as leader of a Rifle Platoon, serving
with Company I, 3d Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division, in action
against Japanese forces on Okinawa Shima in the Ryukyu Chain, 4 May 1945.
Taken under sudden, close attack by hostile troops entrenched on the reverse
slope while moving up a strategic ridge along which his platoon was holding
newly won positions, Sgt. Kinser engaged the enemy in a fierce hand grenade
battle. Quick to act when a Japanese grenade landed in the immediate vicinity,
Sgt. Kinser unhesitatingly threw himself on the deadly missile, absorbing
the full charge of the shattering explosion in his own body and thereby
protecting his men from serious injury and possible death. Stouthearted
and indomitable, he had yielded his own chance of survival that his comrades
might live to carry on the relentless battle against a fanatic enemy. His
courage, cool decision and valiant spirit of self-sacrifice in the face
of certain death sustained and enhanced the highest traditions of the U.S.
Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
KISTERS, GERRY H.
Rank and organization: Second Lieutenant (then Sergeant), U.S. Army,
2d Armored Division. Place and date: Near Gagliano, Sicily, 31 July 1943.
Entered service at: Bloomington, Ind. Birth: Salt Lake City, Utah. G.O.
No.: 13, 18 February 1944. Citation: On 31 July 1943, near Gagliano, Sicily,
a detachment of 1 officer and 9 enlisted men, including Sgt. Kisters, advancing
ahead of the leading elements of U.S. troops to fill a large crater in
the only available vehicle route through Gagliano, was taken under fire
by 2 enemy machineguns. Sgt. Kisters and the officer, unaided and in the
face of intense small arms fire, advanced on the nearest machinegun emplacement
and succeeded in capturing the gun and its crew of 4. Although the greater
part of the remaining small arms fire was now directed on the captured
machinegun position, Sgt. Kisters voluntarily advanced alone toward the
second gun emplacement. While creeping forward, he was struck 5 times by
enemy bullets, receiving wounds in both legs and his right arm. Despite
the wounds, he continued to advance on the enemy, and captured the second
machinegun after killing 3 of its crew and forcing the fourth member to
flee. The courage of this soldier and his unhesitating willingness to sacrifice
his life, if necessary, served as an inspiration to the command.
KNAPPENBERGER, ALTON W.
Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, 3d Infantry Division.
Place and date: Near Cisterna di Littoria, Italy, 1 February 1944. Entered
service at: Spring Mount, Pa. Birth: Cooperstown, Pa. G.O. No.: 41, 26
May 1944. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk
of his life above and beyond the call of duty in action involving actual
conflict with the enemy, on 1 February 1944 near Cisterna di Littoria,
Italy. When a heavy German counterattack was launched against his battalion,
Pfc. Knappenberger crawled to an exposed knoll and went into position with
his automatic rifle. An enemy machinegun 85 yards away opened fire, and
bullets struck within 6 inches of him. Rising to a kneeling position, Pfc.
Knappenberger opened fire on the hostile crew, knocked out the gun, killed
2 members of the crew, and wounded the third. While he fired at this hostile
position, 2 Germans crawled to a point within 20 yards of the knoll and
threw potato-masher grenades at him, but Pfc. Knappenberger killed them
both with 1 burst from his automatic rifle. Later, a second machinegun
opened fire upon his exposed position from a distance of 100 yards, and
this weapon also was silenced by his well-aimed shots. Shortly thereafter,
an enemy 20mm. antiaircraft gun directed fire at him, and again Pfc. Knappenberger
returned fire to wound 1 member of the hostile crew. Under tank and artillery
shellfire, with shells bursting within 15 yards of him, he held his precarious
position and fired at all enemy infantrymen armed with machine pistols
and machineguns which he could locate. When his ammunition supply became
exhausted, he crawled 15 yards forward through steady machinegun fire,
removed rifle clips from the belt of a casualty, returned to his position
and resumed firing to repel an assaulting German platoon armed with automatic
weapons. Finally, his ammunition supply being completely exhausted, he
rejoined his company. Pfc. Knappenberger's intrepid action disrupted the
enemy attack for over 2 hours.
*KNIGHT, JACK L.
Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, U.S. Army, 124th Cavalry Regiment,
Mars Task Force. Place and date: Near LoiKang, Burma, 2 February 1945.
Entered service at: Weatherford, Tex. Birth: Garner, Tex. G.O. No.: 44,
6 June 1945. Citation: He led his cavalry troop against heavy concentrations
of enemy mortar, artillery, and small arms fire. After taking the troop's
objective and while making preparations for a defense, he discovered a
nest of Japanese pillboxes and foxholes to the right front. Preceding his
men by at least 10 feet, he immediately led an attack Single-handedly he
knocked out 2 enemy pillboxes and killed the occupants of several foxholes.
While attempting to knock out a third pillbox, he was struck and blinded
by an enemy grenade. Although unable to see, he rallied his platoon and
continued forward in the assault on the remaining pillboxes. Before the
task was completed he fell mortally wounded. 1st Lt. Knight's gallantry
and intrepidity were responsible for the successful elimination of most
of the Jap positions and served as an inspiration to officers and men of
his troop.
*KNIGHT, RAYMOND L. (Air Mission)
Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, U.S. Army Air Corps. Place
and date: In Northern Po Valley, Italy, 2425 April 1945. Entered service
at: Houston, Tex. Birth: Texas. G.O. No.: 81, 24 September 1945. Citation:
He piloted a fighter-bomber aircraft in a series of low-level strafing
missions, destroying 14 grounded enemy aircraft and leading attacks which
wrecked 10 others during a critical period of the Allied drive in northern
Italy. On the morning of 24 April, he volunteered to lead 2 other aircraft
against the strongly defended enemy airdrome at Ghedi. Ordering his fellow
pilots to remain aloft, he skimmed the ground through a deadly curtain
of antiaircraft fire to reconnoiter the field, locating 8 German aircraft
hidden beneath heavy camouflage. He rejoined his flight, briefed them by
radio, and then led them with consummate skill through the hail of enemy
fire in a low-level attack, destroying 5 aircraft, while his flight accounted
for 2 others. Returning to his base, he volunteered to lead 3 other aircraft
in reconnaissance of Bergamo airfield, an enemy base near Ghedi and 1 known
to be equally well defended. Again ordering his flight to remain out of
range of antiaircraft fire, 1st Lt. Knight flew through an exceptionally
intense barrage, which heavily damaged his Thunderbolt, to observe the
field at minimum altitude. He discovered a squadron of enemy aircraft under
heavy camouflage and led his flight to the assault. Returning alone after
this strafing, he made 10 deliberate passes against the field despite being
hit by antiaircraft fire twice more, destroying 6 fully loaded enemy twin-engine
aircraft and 2 fighters. His skillfully led attack enabled his flight to
destroy 4 other twin-engine aircraft and a fighter plane. He then returned
to his base in his seriously damaged plane. Early the next morning, when
he again attacked Bergamo, he sighted an enemy plane on the runway. Again
he led 3 other American pilots in a blistering low-level sweep through
vicious antiaircraft fire that damaged his plane so severely that it was
virtually nonflyable. Three of the few remaining enemy twin-engine aircraft
at that base were destroyed. Realizing the critical need for aircraft in
his unit, he declined to parachute to safety over friendly territory and
unhesitatingly attempted to return his shattered plane to his home field.
With great skill and strength, he flew homeward until caught by treacherous
air conditions in the Appennines Mountains, where he crashed and was killed.
The gallant action of 1st Lt. Knight eliminated the German aircraft which
were poised to wreak havoc on Allied forces pressing to establish the first
firm bridgehead across the Po River; his fearless daring and voluntary
self-sacrifice averted possible heavy casualties among ground forces and
the resultant slowing on the German drive culminated in the collapse of
enemy resistance in Italy.
*KRAUS, RICHARD EDWARD
Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve.
Born: 24 November 1925, Chicago, Ill. Accredited to: Minnesota. Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above
and beyond the call of duty while serving with the 8th Amphibious Tractor
Battalion, Fleet Marine Force, in action against enemy Japanese forces
on Peleliu, Palau Islands, on 5 October 1944. Unhesitatingly volunteering
for the extremely hazardous mission of evacuating a wounded comrade from
the front lines, Pfc. Kraus and 3 companions courageously made their way
forward and successfully penetrated the lines for some distance before
the enemy opened with an intense, devastating barrage of hand grenades
which forced the stretcher party to take cover and subsequently abandon
the mission. While returning to the rear, they observed 2 men approaching
who appeared to be marines and immediately demanded the password. When,
instead of answering, 1 of the 2 Japanese threw a hand grenade into the
midst of the group, Pfc. Kraus heroically flung himself upon the grenade
and, covering it with his body, absorbed the full impact of the explosion
and was instantly killed. By his prompt action and great personal valor
in the face of almost certain death, he saved the lives of his 3 companions,
and his loyal spirit of self-sacrifice reflects the highest credit upon
himself and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his
comrades.
*KROTIAK, ANTHONY L.
Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, Company I, 148th
Infantry, 37th Infantry Division. Place and date: Balete Pass, Luzon, Philippine
Islands, 8 May 1945. Entered service at: Chicago, Ill. Born: 15 August
1915, Chicago, Ill. G.O. No.: 18, 13 February 1946. Citation: He was an
acting squad leader, directing his men in consolidating a newly won position
on Hill B when the enemy concentrated small arms fire and grenades upon
him and 4 others, driving them to cover in an abandoned Japanese trench.
A grenade thrown from above landed in the center of the group. Instantly
pushing his comrades aside and jamming the grenade into the earth with
his rifle butt, he threw himself over it, making a shield of his body to
protect the other men. The grenade exploded under him, and he died a few
minutes later. By his extraordinary heroism in deliberately giving his
life to save those of his comrades, Pfc. Krotiak set an inspiring example
of utter devotion and self-sacrifice which reflects the highest traditions
of the military service.
*LA BELLE, JAMES DENNIS
Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve.
Born: 22 November 1925, Columbia Heights, Minn. Accredited to: Minnesota.
Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his
life above and beyond the call of duty while attached to the 27th Marines,
5th Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces during the
seizure of Iwo Jima in the Volcano Islands, 8 March 1945. Filling a gap
in the front lines during a critical phase of the battle, Pfc. LaBelle
had dug into a foxhole with 2 other marines and, grimly aware of the enemy's
persistent attempts to blast a way through our lines with hand grenades,
applied himself with steady concentration to maintaining a sharply vigilant
watch during the hazardous night hours. Suddenly a hostile grenade landed
beyond reach in his foxhole. Quickly estimating the situation, he determined
to save the others if possible, shouted a warning, and instantly dived
on the deadly missile, absorbing the exploding charge in his own body and
thereby protecting his comrades from serious injury. Stouthearted and indomitable,
he had unhesitatingly relinquished his own chance of survival that his
fellow marines might carry on the relentless fight against a fanatic enemy
His dauntless courage, cool decision and valiant spirit of self-sacrifice
in the face of certain death reflect the highest credit upon Pfc. LaBelle
and upon the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life in the service
of his country.
LAWLEY, WILLIAM R., JR. (Air Mission)
Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, U.S. Army Air Corps, 364th
Bomber Squadron, 305th Bomber Group. Place and date: Over Europe, 20 February
1944. Entered service at: Birmingham, Ala. Born: 23 August 1920, Leeds,
Ala. G.O. No.: 64, 8 August 1944. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and
intrepidity in action above and beyond the call of duty, 20 February 1944,
while serving as pilot of a B-17 aircraft on a heavy bombardment mission
over enemy-occupied continental Europe. Coming off the target he was attacked
by approximately 20 enemy fighters, shot out of formation, and his plane
severely crippled. Eight crewmembers were wounded, the copilot was killed
by a 20-mm. shell. One engine was on fire, the controls shot away, and
1st Lt. Lawley seriously and painfully wounded about the face. Forcing
the copilot's body off the controls, he brought the plane out of a steep
dive, flying with his left hand only. Blood covered the instruments and
windshield and visibility was impossible. With a full bomb load the plane
was difficult to maneuver and bombs could not be released because the racks
were frozen. After the order to bail out had been given, 1 of the waist
gunners informed the pilot that 2 crewmembers were so severely wounded
that it would be impossible for them to bail out. With the fire in the
engine spreading, the danger of an explosion was imminent. Because of the
helpless condition of his wounded crewmembers 1st Lt. Lawley elected to
remain with the ship and bring them to safety if it was humanly possible,
giving the other crewmembers the option of bailing out. Enemy fighters
again attacked but by using masterful evasive action he managed to lose
them. One engine again caught on fire and was extinguished by skillful
flying. 1st Lt. Lawley remained at his post, refusing first aid until he
collapsed from sheer exhaustion caused by loss of blood, shock, and the
energy he had expended in keeping control of his plane. He was revived
by the bombardier and again took over the controls. Coming over the English
coast 1 engine ran out of gasoline and had to be feathered. Another engine
started to burn and continued to do so until a successful crash landing
was made on a small fighter base. Through his heroism and exceptional flying
skill, 1st Lt. Lawley rendered outstanding distinguished and valorous service
to our Nation.
LAWS, ROBERT E.
Rank and organization: Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company G, 169th Infantry,
43d Infantry Division. Place and date: Pangasinan Province, Luzon, Philippine
Islands, 12 January 1945. Entered service at: Altoona, Pa. Birth: Altoona,
Pa. G.O. No.: 77, 10 September 1945. Citation: He led the assault squad
when Company G attacked enemy hill positions. The enemy force, estimated
to be a reinforced infantry company, was well supplied with machineguns,
ammunition, grenades, and blocks of TNT and could be attacked only across
a narrow ridge 70 yards long. At the end of this ridge an enemy pillbox
and rifle positions were set in rising ground. Covered by his squad, S/Sgt
Laws traversed the hogback through vicious enemy fire until close to the
pillbox, where he hurled grenades at the fortification. Enemy grenades
wounded him, but he persisted in his assault until 1 of his missiles found
its mark and knocked out the pillbox. With more grenades, passed to him
by members of his squad who had joined him, he led the attack on the entrenched
riflemen. In the advance up the hill, he suffered additional wounds in
both arms and legs, about the body and in the head, as grenades and TNT
charges exploded near him. Three Japs rushed him with fixed bayonets, and
he emptied the magazine of his machine pistol at them, killing 2. He closed
in hand-to-hand combat with the third, seizing the Jap's rifle as he met
the onslaught. The 2 fell to the ground and rolled some 50 or 60 feet down
a bank. When the dust cleared the Jap lay dead and the valiant American
was climbing up the hill with a large gash across the head. He was given
first aid and evacuated from the area while his squad completed the destruction
of the enemy position. S/Sgt. Laws' heroic actions provided great inspiration
to his comrades, and his courageous determination, in the face of formidable
odds and while suffering from multiple wounds, enabled them to secure an
important objective with minimum casualties.
LEE, DANIEL W.
Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, U.S. Army, Troop A, 117th Cavalry
Reconnaissance Squadron. Place and date: Montreval, France, 2 September
1944. Entered service at: Alma, Ga. Born: 23 June 1919, Alma, Ga. G.O.
No.: 14, 4 February 1946. Citation: 1st Lt. (then 2d Lt. ) Daniel W. Lee
was leader of Headquarters Platoon, Troop A, 117th Cavalry Reconnaissance
Squadron, Mechanized, at Montreval, France, on 2 September 1944, when the
Germans mounted a strong counterattack, isolating the town and engaging
its outnumbered defenders in a pitched battle. After the fight had raged
for hours and our forces had withstood heavy shelling and armor-supported
infantry attacks, 2d Lt. Lee organized a patrol to knock out mortars which
were inflicting heavy casualties on the beleaguered reconnaissance troops.
He led the small group to the edge of the town, sweeping enemy riflemen
out of position on a ridge from which he observed 7 Germans manning 2 large
mortars near an armored half-track about 100 yards down the reverse slope.
Armed with a rifle and grenades, he left his men on the high ground and
crawled to within 30 yards of the mortars, where the enemy discovered him
and unleashed machine-pistol fire which shattered his right thigh. Scorning
retreat, bleeding and suffering intense pain, he dragged himself relentlessly
forward He killed 5 of the enemy with rifle fire and the others fled before
he reached their position. Fired on by an armored car, he took cover behind
the German half-track and there found a panzerfaust with which to neutralize
this threat. Despite his wounds, he inched his way toward the car through
withering machinegun fire, maneuvering into range, and blasted the vehicle
with a round from the rocket launcher, forcing it to withdraw. Having cleared
the slope of hostile troops, he struggle back to his men, where he collapsed
from pain and loss of blood. 2d Lt. Lee's outstanding gallantry, willing
risk of life, and extreme tenacity of purpose in coming to grips with the
enemy, although suffering from grievous wounds, set an example of bravery
and devotion to duty in keeping with the highest traditions of the military
service.
LEIMS, JOHN HAROLD
Rank and organization: Second Lieutenant, U.S. marine Corps Reserve,
Company B, 1st Battalion, 9th Marines, 3d Marine Division. Place and date:
Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 7 march 1945. Entered service at: Chicago, Ill.
Born: 8 June 1921, Chicago, 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 B, 1st Battalion, 9th Marines, 3d Marine
Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima in the Volcano
Islands, 7 march 1945. Launching a surprise attack against the rock-imbedded
fortification of a dominating Japanese hill position, 2d Lt. Leims spurred
his company forward with indomitable determination and, skillfully directing
his assault platoons against the cave-emplaced enemy troops and heavily
fortified pillboxes, succeeded in capturing the objective in later afternoon.
When it became apparent that his assault platoons were cut off in this
newly won position, approximately 400 yards forward of adjacent units and
lacked all communication with the command post, he personally advanced
and laid telephone lines across the isolating expanse of open fire-swept
terrain. Ordered to withdraw his command after he had joined his forward
platoons, he immediately complied, adroitly effecting the withdrawal of
his troops without incident. Upon arriving at the rear, he was informed
that several casualties had been left at the abandoned ridge position beyond
the frontlines. Although suffering acutely from the strain and exhausting
of battle, he instantly went forward despite darkness and the slashing
fury of hostile machinegun fire, located and carried to safety 1 seriously
wounded marine and then, running the gauntlet of enemy fire for the third
time that night, again made his tortuous way into the bullet-riddled deathtrap
and rescued another of his wounded men. A dauntless leader, concerned at
all time for the welfare of his men, 2d Lt. Leims soundly maintained the
coordinated strength of his battle-wearied company under extremely difficult
conditions and, by his bold tactics, sustained aggressiveness, and heroic
disregard for all personal danger, contributed essentially to the success
of his division's operations against this vital Japanese base. His valiant
conduct in the face of fanatic opposition sustains and enhances the highest
traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.
*LEONARD, TURNEY W.
Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, U.S. Army, Company C, 893d
Tank Destroyer Battalion. Place and date: Kommerscheidt, Germany, 46 November
1944. Entered service at: Dallas, Tex. Birth: Dallas, Tex. G.O. No.: 74,
1 September 1945. Citation: He displayed extraordinary heroism while commanding
a platoon of mobile weapons at Kommerscheidt, Germany, on 4, 5, and 6 November
1944. During the fierce 3-day engagement, he repeatedly braved overwhelming
enemy fire in advance of his platoon to direct the fire of his tank destroyer
from exposed, dismounted positions. He went on lone reconnaissance missions
to discover what opposition his men faced, and on 1 occasion, when fired
upon by a hostile machinegun, advanced alone and eliminated the enemy emplacement
with a hand grenade. When a strong German attack threatened to overrun
friendly positions, he moved through withering artillery, mortar, and small
arms fire, reorganized confused infantry units whose leaders had become
casualties, and exhorted them to hold firm. Although wounded early in battle,
he continued to direct fire from his advanced position until he was disabled
by a high-explosive shell which shattered his arm, forcing him to withdraw.
He was last seen at a medical aid station which was subsequently captured
by the enemy. By his superb courage, inspiring leadership, and indomitable
fighting spirit, 1st Lt. Leonard enabled our forces to hold off the enemy
attack and was personally responsible for the direction of fire which destroyed
6 German tanks.
*LESTER, FRED FAULKNER
Rank and organization: Hospital Apprentice First Class, U.S. Navy. Born:
29 April 1926, Downers Grove, Ill. Accredited to: Illinois. Citation: For
conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and
beyond the call of duty while serving as a Medical Corpsman with an Assault
Rifle Platoon, attached to the 1st Battalion, 22d Marines, 6th Marine Division,
during action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa Shima in the Ryukyu
Chain, 8 June 1945. Quick to spot a wounded marine Iying in an open field
beyond the front lines following the relentless assault against a strategic
Japanese hill position, Lester unhesitatingly crawled toward the casualty
under a concentrated barrage from hostile machineguns, rifles, and grenades.
Torn by enemy rifle bullets as he inched forward, he stoically disregarded
the mounting fury of Japanese fire and his own pain to pull the wounded
man toward a covered position. Struck by enemy fire a second time before
he reached cover, he exerted tremendous effort and succeeded in pulling
his comrade to safety where, too seriously wounded himself to administer
aid, he instructed 2 of his squad in proper medical treatment of the rescued
marine. Realizing that his own wounds were fatal, he staunchly refused
medical attention for himself and, gathering his fast-waning strength with
calm determination, coolly and expertly directed his men in the treatment
of 2 other wounded marines, succumbing shortly thereafter. Completely selfless
in his concern for the welfare of his fighting comrades, Lester, by his
indomitable spirit, outstanding valor, and competent direction of others,
had saved the life of 1 who otherwise must have perished and had contributed
to the safety of countless others. Lester's fortitude in the face of certain
death sustains and enhances the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.
He gallantly gave his life for his country.
*LINDSEY, DARRELL R. (Air Mission)
Rank and organization: Captain, U.S. Army Air Corps. Place and date:
L'Isle Adam railroad bridge over the Seine in occupied France, 9 August
1944. Entered service at: Storm Lake, lowa. Birth: Jefferson, lowa. G.O.
No.: 43, 30 May 1945. Citation: On 9 August 1944, Capt. Lindsey led a formation
of 30 B-26 medium bombers in a hazardous mission to destroy the strategic
enemy held L'lsle Adam railroad bridge over the Seine in occupied France.
With most of the bridges over the Seine destroyed, the heavily fortified
L'Isle Adam bridge was of inestimable value to the enemy in moving troops,
supplies, and equipment to Paris. Capt. Lindsey was fully aware of the
fierce resistance that would be encountered. Shortly after reaching enemy
territory the formation was buffeted with heavy and accurate antiaircraft
fire. By skillful evasive action, Capt. Lindsey was able to elude much
of the enemy flak, but just before entering the bombing run his B-26 was
peppered with holes. During the bombing run the enemy fire was even more
intense, and Capt. Lindsey's right engine received a direct hit and burst
into flames. Despite the fact that his ship was hurled out of formation
by the violence of the concussion, Capt. Lindsey brilliantly maneuvered
back into the lead position without disrupting the flight. Fully aware
that the gasoline tanks might explode at any moment, Capt. Lindsey gallantly
elected to continue the perilous bombing run. With fire streaming from
his right engine and his right wing half enveloped in flames, he led his
formation over the target upon which the bombs were dropped with telling
effect. Immediately after the objective was attacked, Capt. Lindsey gave
the order for the crew to parachute from the doomed aircraft. With magnificent
coolness and superb pilotage, and without regard for his own life, he held
the swiftly descending airplane in a steady glide until the members of
the crew could jump to safety. With the right wing completely enveloped
in flames and an explosion of the gasoline tank imminent, Capt. Lindsey
still remained unperturbed. The last man to leave the stricken plane was
the bombardier, who offered to lower the wheels so that Capt. Lindsey might
escape from the nose. Realizing that this might throw the aircraft into
an uncontrollable spin and jeopardize the bombardier's chances to escape,
Capt. Lindsey refused the offer. Immediately after the bombardier had bailed
out, and before Capt. Lindsey was able to follow, the right gasoline tank
exploded. The aircraft sheathed in fire, went into a steep dive and was
seen to explode as it crashed. All who are living today from this plane
owe their lives to the fact that Capt. Lindsey remained cool and showed
supreme courage in this emergency.
LINDSEY, JAKE W.
Rank and organization: Technical Sergeant, U.S. Army, 16th Infantry,
1st Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Hamich, Germany, 16 November
1944. Entered service at: Lucedale, Miss. Birth: Isney, Ala. G.O. No.:
43, 30 May 1945. Citation: For gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of
his life above and beyond the call of duty on 16 November 1944, in Germany.
T/Sgt. Lindsey assumed a position about 10 yards to the front of his platoon
during an intense enemy infantry-tank counterattack, and by his unerringly
accurate fire destroyed 2 enemy machinegun nests, forced the withdrawal
of 2 tanks, and effectively halted enemy flanking patrols. Later, although
painfully wounded, he engaged 8 Germans, who were reestablishing machinegun
positions, in hand-to-hand combat, killing 3, capturing 3, and causing
the other 2 to flee. By his gallantry, T/Sgt. Lindsey secured his unit's
position, and reflected great credit upon himself and the U.S. Army.
*LINDSTROM, FLOYD K.
Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, 3d Infantry Division.
Place and date: Near Mignano, Italy, 11 November 1943. Entered service
at: Colorado Springs, Colo. Birth: Holdredge, Nebr. G.O. No.: 32, 20 April
1944. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life
above and beyond the call of duty. On 11 November 1943, this soldier's
platoon was furnishing machinegun support for a rifle company attacking
a hill near Mignano, Italy, when the enemy counterattacked, forcing the
riflemen and half the machinegun platoon to retire to a defensive position.
Pfc. Lindstrom saw that his small section was alone and outnumbered 5 to
1, yet he immediately deployed the few remaining men into position and
opened fire with his single gun. The enemy centered fire on him with machinegun,
machine pistols, and grenades. Unable to knock out the enemy nest from
his original position, Pfc. Lindstrom picked up his own heavy machinegun
and staggered 15 yards up the barren, rocky hillside to a new position,
completely ignoring enemy small arms fire which was striking all around
him. From this new site, only 10 yards from the enemy machinegun, he engaged
it in an intense duel. Realizing that he could not hit the hostile gunners
because they were behind a large rock, he charged uphill under a steady
stream of fire, killed both gunners with his pistol and dragged their gun
down to his own men, directing them to employ it against the enemy. Disregarding
heavy rifle fire, he returned to the enemy machinegun nest for 2 boxes
of ammunition, came back and resumed withering fire from his own gun. His
spectacular performance completely broke up the German counterattack. Pfc.
Lindstrom demonstrated aggressive spirit and complete fearlessness in the
face of almost certain death.
*LLOYD, EDGAR H.
Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, U.S. Army, Company E, 319th
Infantry, 80th Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Pompey, France,
14 September 1944. Entered service at: Blytheville, Ark. Birth: Blytheville,
Ark. G.O. No.: 25, 7 April 1945. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and
intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty.
On 14 September 1944, Company E, 319th Infantry, with which 1st Lt. Lloyd
was serving as a rifle platoon leader, was assigned the mission of expelling
an estimated enemy force of 200 men from a heavily fortified position near
Pompey, France. As the attack progressed, 1st Lt. Lloyd's platoon advanced
to within 50 yards of the enemy position where they were caught in a withering
machinegun and rifle crossfire which inflicted heavy casualties and momentarily
disorganized the platoon. With complete disregard for his own safety, 1st
Lt. Lloyd leaped to his feet and led his men on a run into the raking fire,
shouting encouragement to them. He jumped into the first enemy machinegun
position, knocked out the gunner with his fist, dropped a grenade, and
jumped out before it exploded. Still shouting encouragement he went from
1 machinegun nest to another, pinning the enemy down with submachine gun
fire until he was within throwing distance, and then destroyed them with
hand grenades. He personally destroyed 5 machineguns and many of the enemy,
and by his daring leadership and conspicuous bravery inspired his men to
overrun the enemy positions and accomplish the objective in the face of
seemingly insurmountable odds. His audacious determination and courageous
devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces
of the United States.
*LOBAUGH, DONALD R.
Rank and organization: Private, U .S. Army, 127th Infantry, 32d Infantry
Division. Place and date: Near Afua, New Guinea, 22 July 1944. Entered
service at: Freeport, Pa. Birth: Freeport, Pa. G.O. No.: 31, 17 April 1945.
Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his
life above and beyond the call of duty near Afua, New Guinea, on 22 July
1944. While Pvt. Lobaugh's company was withdrawing from its position on
21 July, the enemy attacked and cut off approximately 1 platoon of our
troops. The platoon immediately occupied, organized, and defended a position,
which it held throughout the night. Early on 22 July, an attempt was made
to effect its withdrawal, but during the preparation therefor, the enemy
emplaced a machinegun, protected by the fire of rifles and automatic weapons,
which blocked the only route over which the platoon could move. Knowing
that it was the key to the enemy position, Pfc. Lobaugh volunteered to
attempt to destroy this weapon, even though in order to reach it he would
be forced to work his way about 30 yards over ground devoid of cover. When
part way across this open space he threw a hand grenade, but exposed himself
in the act and was wounded. Heedless of his wound, he boldly rushed the
emplacement, firing as he advanced. The enemy concentrated their fire on
him, and he was struck repeatedly, but he continued his attack and killed
2 more before he was himself slain. Pfc. Lobaugh's heroic actions inspired
his comrades to press the attack, and to drive the enemy from the position
with heavy losses. His fighting determination and intrepidity in battle
exemplify the highest traditions of the U.S. Armed Forces.
LOGAN, JAMES M.
Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Army, 36th Infantry Division.
Place and date: Near Salerno, Italy, 9 September 1943. Entered service
at: Luling, Tex. Birth: McNeil, Tex. G.O. No.: 54, 5 July 1944. Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life above and beyond
the call of duty in action involving actual conflict on 9 September 1943
in the vicinity of Salerno, Italy. As a rifleman of an infantry company,
Sgt. Logan landed with the first wave of the assault echelon on the beaches
of the Gulf of Salerno, and after his company had advanced 800 yards inland
and taken positions along the forward bank of an irrigation canal, the
enemy began a serious counterattack from positions along a rock wall which
ran parallel with the canal about 200 yards further inland. Voluntarily
exposing himself to the fire of a machinegun located along the rock wall,
which sprayed the ground so close to him that he was splattered with dirt
and rock splinters from the impact of the bullets, Sgt. Logan killed the
first 3 Germans as they came through a gap in the wall. He then attacked
the machinegun. As he dashed across the 200 yards of exposed terrain a
withering stream of fire followed his advance. Reaching the wall, he crawled
along the base, within easy reach of the enemy crouched along the opposite
side, until he reached the gun. Jumping up, he shot the 2 gunners down,
hurdled the wall, and seized the gun. Swinging it around, he immediately
opened fire on the enemy with the remaining ammunition, raking their flight
and inflicting further casualties on them as they fled. After smashing
the machinegun over the rocks, Sgt. Logan captured an enemy officer and
private who were attempting to sneak away. Later in the morning, Sgt. Loan
went after a sniper hidden in a house about 150 yards from the company.
Again the intrepid Sgt. ran a gauntlet of fire to reach his objective.
Shooting the lock off the door, Sgt. Loan kicked it in and shot the sniper
who had just reached the bottom of the stairs. The conspicuous gallantry
and intrepidity which characterized Sgt. Logan's exploits proved a constant
inspiration to all the men of his company, and aided materially in insuring
the success of the beachhead at Salerno.
LOPEZ, JOSE M.
Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Army, 23d Infantry, 2d Infantry
Division. Place and date: Near Krinkelt, Belgium, 17 December 1944. Entered
service at: Brownsville, Tex. Birth: Mission, Tex. G.O. No.: 47, 18 June
1945. Citation: On his own initiative, he carried his heavy machinegun
from Company K's right flank to its left, in order to protect that flank
which was in danger of being overrun by advancing enemy infantry supported
by tanks. Occupying a shallow hole offering no protection above his waist,
he cut down a group of 10 Germans. Ignoring enemy fire from an advancing
tank, he held his position and cut down 25 more enemy infantry attempting
to turn his flank. Glancing to his right, he saw a large number of infantry
swarming in from the front. Although dazed and shaken from enemy artillery
fire which had crashed into the ground only a few yards away, he realized
that his position soon would be outflanked. Again, alone, he carried his
machinegun to a position to the right rear of the sector; enemy tanks and
infantry were forcing a withdrawal. Blown over backward by the concussion
of enemy fire, he immediately reset his gun and continued his fire. Single-handed
he held off the German horde until he was satisfied his company had effected
its retirement. Again he loaded his gun on his back and in a hail of small
arms fire he ran to a point where a few of his comrades were attempting
to set up another defense against the onrushing enemy. He fired from this
position until his ammunition was exhausted. Still carrying his gun, he
fell back with his small group to Krinkelt. Sgt. Lopez's gallantry and
intrepidity, on seemingly suicidal missions in which he killed at least
100 of the enemy, were almost solely responsible for allowing Company K
to avoid being enveloped, to withdraw successfully and to give other forces
coming up in support time to build a line which repelled the enemy drive.
LUCAS, JACKLYN HAROLD
Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve,
1st Battalion, 26th Marines, 5th Marine Division. Place and date: Iwo Jima,
Volcano Islands, 20 February 1945. Entered service at: Norfolk, Va. Born:
14 February 1928, Plymouth, N.C. 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, 26th Marines, 5th Marine Division, during
action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 20 February
1945. While creeping through a treacherous, twisting ravine which ran in
close proximity to a fluid and uncertain frontline on D-plus-1 day, Pfc.
Lucas and 3 other men were suddenly ambushed by a hostile patrol which
savagely attacked with rifle fire and grenades. Quick to act when the lives
of the small group were endangered by 2 grenades which landed directly
in front of them, Pfc. Lucas unhesitatingly hurled himself over his comrades
upon 1 grenade and pulled the other under him, absorbing the whole blasting
forces of the explosions in his own body in order to shield his companions
from the concussion and murderous flying fragments. By his inspiring action
and valiant spirit of self-sacrifice, he not only protected his comrades
from certain injury or possible death but also enabled them to rout the
Japanese patrol and continue the advance. His exceptionally courageous
initiative and loyalty reflect the highest credit upon Pfc. Lucas and the
U.S. Naval Service.
*LUMMUS, JACK
Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve.
Born: 22 October 1915, Ennie, Tex. Appointed from: Texas. Citation: For
conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and
beyond the call of duty as leader of a Rifle Platoon attached to the 2d
Battalion, 27th Marines, 5th Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese
forces on Iwo Jima in the Volcano Islands, 8 March 1945. Resuming his assault
tactics with bold decision after fighting without respite for 2 days and
nights, 1st Lt. Lummus slowly advanced his platoon against an enemy deeply
entrenched in a network of mutually supporting positions. Suddenly halted
by a terrific concentration of hostile fire, he unhesitatingly moved forward
of his front lines in an effort to neutralize the Japanese position. Although
knocked to the ground when an enemy grenade exploded close by, he immediately
recovered himself and, again moving forward despite the intensified barrage,
quickly located, attacked, and destroyed the occupied emplacement. Instantly
taken under fire by the garrison of a supporting pillbox and further assailed
by the slashing fury of hostile rifle fire, he fell under the impact of
a second enemy grenade but, courageously disregarding painful shoulder
wounds, staunchly continued his heroic 1-man assault and charged the second
pillbox, annihilating all the occupants. Subsequently returning to his
platoon position, he fearlessly traversed his lines under fire, encouraging
his men to advance and directing the fire of supporting tanks against other
stubbornly holding Japanese emplacements. Held up again by a devastating
barrage, he again moved into the open, rushed a third heavily fortified
installation and killed the defending troops. Determined to crush all resistance,
he led his men indomitably, personally attacking foxholes and spider traps
with his carbine and systematically reducing the fanatic opposition until,
stepping on a land mine, he sustained fatal wounds. By his outstanding
valor, skilled tactics, and tenacious perseverance in the face of overwhelming
odds, 1st Lt. Lummus had inspired his stouthearted marines to continue
the relentless drive northward, thereby contributing materially to the
success of his regimental mission. His dauntless leadership and unwavering
devotion to duty throughout sustain and enhance the highest traditions
of the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life in the service of
his country.
Above L-R: Navy Medal of Honor, Air Force Medal of Honor,
Army Medal of Honor
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U.S. Army Center of Military
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