Orders from
Headquarters, 97th Infantry Division
(These orders were re-typed for clarity)
(The actual serial numbers
have been replaced with Ser # for privacy concerns)
R-E-S-T-R-I-C-T-E-D
HEADQUARTERS
97TH INFANTRY DIVISION
APO 445
10 June 1945
GENERAL ORDERS
NUMBER 37
SECTION
SILVER STAR—Awards I
BRONZE STAR MEDAL—Posthumous
awards II
BRONZE STAR MEDAL—(OAK-LEAF
CLUSTER)—Award III
BRONZE STAR MEDAL—Awards IV
PURPLE HEART—Awards V
I.
SILVER STAR. Under provisions of AR 600-45, 22 September 1943, as
amended, the Silver Star is awarded to the following officer and enlisted men:
Captain Oliver M. Smith, Ser #,
Headquarters Company, 387th Infantry Regiment, distinguished himself by
gallantry in action in connection with a military operation against an armed
enemy. Near Hennef, Germany, on 8 April
1945, Captain Smith volunteered to lead a patrol to lay wire from a
forward observation post to a battalion command post over a route know to be
under heavy machine gun fire. Captain Smith’s
advance to the observation post was halted on three occasions by enemy fire
falling as close as 25 yards but, on each occasion, he proceeded to the
accomplishment of his mission. Arriving
at the observation post, Captain Smith fearlessly exposed himself to
fire and, with bullets falling and ricocheting all about him established a wire
point. Returning over the same route
with his position being constantly given to the enemy by the noise of the wire
reel, Captain Smith was subjected to heavy enemy machine gun fire over
the whole course of one-quarter mile.
His gallantry on this occasion reflects great credit upon himself and
the Armed Forces. Entered military
service from Pennsylvania.
First Lieutenant Ernest G. Zeek, Ser
#, Company “B”, 387th Infantry Regiment distinguished himself by gallantry
in action in connection with a military operation against an armed enemy. While leading his platoon in an attack on
Heuboddenburg, Germany, on 9 April 1945, Lieutenant Zeek and his men
came under heavy fire from 20mm and machine gun fire which halted their
advance. Arming himself with an automatic rifle, Lieutenant Zeek fearlessly
moved forward alone to a position 200 yards away from which he could place fire
upon an enemy 20mm gun. From a standing
position Lieutenant Zeek killed the enemy gunner, wounded an assistant
and forced the withdrawal of the rest of the gun crew. With heavy small arms and artillery fire
falling about him, Lieutenant Zeek kept up a persistent fire and
effectively stopped several attempts on the part of the enemy to put the gun
into operation again. Lieutenant Zeek’s
aggressiveness and gallantry on this occasion reflects great credit upon
himself and the Armed Forces. Entered
military service from Oregon.
Second Lieutenant Edward J. Marn, Ser
#, Company “D”, 386th Infantry Regiment, distinguished himself by gallantry
in action in connection with a military operation against an armed enemy. Near Franzenbad, Germany, on 26 April 1945,
Lieutenant Marn an 81mm mortar section leader supporting a rifle company
in attack laid 400 yards of wire in the face of intense small arms and
artillery fire to a forward observation post which he established and
maintained. His gallant conduct on this occasion materially aided the advance
of his company and reflects great credit upon himself and the Armed
Forces. Entered military service from
Montana.
Technical Sergeant John P. Gietz, Ser
#, Company “C” 387th Infantry Regiment, distinguished himself by gallantry
in action in connection with a military operation against an armed enemy. While leading two squads in an assault on
the town of Busch, Germany, on 11 April 1945, Sergeant Gietz and his men
came under heavy machine gun fire from a building at the edge of the town. He fearlessly led the attack across 150
yards of open terrain in the face of heavy fire to the building which was set
afire. After clearing the town,
Sergeant Gietz and his men were subjected to sniper and machine gun fire
from a nearby woods. He unhesitatingly
went forward, under fire, to reconnoiter the enemy positions and upon
returning, personally guided a platoon of tanks to a position from which they
could place fire on the enemy strong points.
Sergeant Gietz so accurately directed fire from the tanks that 6
enemy machine gun positions were silenced.
His coolness under fire and gallantry on this occasion reflects great
credit upon himself and the Armed Forces.
Entered military service from Nebraska.
Corporal Andrew J. Sabad, Ser #,
Company “D”, 336th Infantry Regiment, distinguished himself by gallantry in
action in connection with a military operation against an armed enemy. Near Franzenbad, Germany, on 26 April 1945,
Corporal Sabad, a forward observer for an 81mm mortar section supporting
a rifle company in attack, laid 400 yards of wire in the face of intense small
arms and artillery fire to a forward observation post which he established and
maintained. His gallant conduct on this occasion materially aided the advance
of his company and reflects great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces. Entered military service from Ohio.
Technician Fifth Grade Dorsie C. Elan,
Ser #, Medical Detachment, 387th Infantry Regiment,
distinguished himself by gallantry in action in connection with a military
operation against an armed enemy. While
advancing on Nemenreuth, Germany, on 28 April 1945, a rifle platoon received
sudden fire from enemy automatic weapons at a range of 700 yards. The first burst of fire inflicted four
casualties and for half an hour the platoon was held in place along an open
road. Disregarding the enemy fire
falling in the area Technician Fifth Grade Elan moved among the wounded
men giving aid and assisting in removing them to covered locations. Technician Fifth Grade Elan’s
gallantry under hostile fire reflects great credit upon himself and the Armed
Forces. Entered military service from
Ohio.
Technician Fifth Grade Arthur A. Bloom,
Ser #, Medical Detachment 386th Infantry Regiment, distinguished himself
by gallantry in action in connection with a military operation against an armed
enemy. In a fierce fire fight near
Merten, Germany, on 7 April 1945, Technician Fifth Grade Bloom,
fearlessly advanced across fifty yards of open terrain in the face of direct
machine gun fire which pierced his canteen, pistol belt and field jacket to the
side of a man who had fallen from enemy fire.
Technician Fifth Grade Bloom’s gallant devotion to duty on this
occasion reflects great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces. Entered military service from Pennsylvania.
Private First Class Donald C. Roberts,
Ser #, Company “K” 386th Infantry Regiment, distinguished himself by
gallantry in action in connection with a military operation against an armed
enemy. On 7 April 1945, near Hanschied,
Germany, while attacking with his platoon, Private Roberts boldly
advanced upon an enemy pillbox in the face of heavy automatic weapons fire and,
firing his automatic rifle through the embrasure of the pillbox, killed five of
the enemy, captured three and reduced the position. His gallantry on this occasion permitted the rapid accomplishment
of his platoon’s mission and reflects great credit upon himself and the Armed
Forces. Entered military service from
California.
II.
BRONZE
STAR MEDAL. Under
provision of AR 600-45, 22 September 1943,
as
amended, the Bronze Star Medal is awarded, posthumously, to the following
enlisted men:
Staff Sergeant Roy A. Griffith, Ser
#, Company “B” 322d Engineer Combat Battalion, for meritorious achievement
in a military operation against an armed enemy of the United States on 24 April
1945, in Germany. Entered military
service from California.
Technician Fifth Grade John Guthrie, Ser
#, Company “B” 322d Engineer Combat Battalion, for meritorious achievement
in a military operation against an armed enemy of the United States during the
period of 28 March 1945 to 24 April 1945, in Germany. Entered military service from Massachusetts.
Private First Class William Kazakawitz,
Ser #, headquarters Company, 2d Battalion, 387th Infantry Regiment, for
heroic achievement in a military operation against an armed enemy of the United
States on 24 April 1945, in Germany.
Entered military service from New York.
III.
BRONZE STAR MEDAL (OAK-LEAF CLUSTER). Under provisions of AR 600-45, 22 September 1943, as amended, in addition
to the Bronze Star Medal, Previously awarded, an Oak-Leaf Cluster is awarded to
the following enlisted men:
Corporal Hugh E. Murphy, Ser #,
Medical Detachment, 387th Infantry Regiment for meritorious achievement in a
military operation against an armed enemy of the United States on 25 April
1945, In Germany. Entered military service from New York.
IV.
BRONZE STAR MEDAL. Under
provisions of AR 600-45, 22 September 1943, as amended, the Bronze Star Medal
is awarded to the following officers and enlisted men:
Lieutenant Colonel Joseph W. Redding,
Ser #, 303d Field Artillery Battalion for meritorious service in
military operations against an armed enemy of the United States during the
period of 1 April 1945 to 9 May 1945, in Germany and Czechoslovakia. Entered military service from Indiana.
Lieutenant Colonel Alfred E. Graham, Ser
#, 365th Field Artillery Battalion for meritorious service in military
operations against an armed enemy of the United States during the period of 1 April 1945 to 9 May 1945, in Germany and
Czechoslovakia. Entered military
service from Oklahoma.
Major William J. Barnes, Ser #,
Headquarters 1st Battalion, 303rd Infantry Regiment, for meritorious
achievement in a military operation against an armed enemy of the United States
on 9 April 1945, in Germany. Entered military service from Kentucky.
Major William W. Grier, Ser #,
Headquarters 386th Infantry Regiment, for meritorious service in military
operations against an armed enemy of the United States during the period of 1
April 1945 to 9 May 1945, in Germany and Czechoslovakia. Entered military service from New Jersey.
Major Louis B. Kost, Ser #,
Medical Detachment, 387th Infantry Regiment, for meritorious achievement in a
military operation against an armed enemy of the United States on 24 April
1945, in Czechoslovakia. Entered military service from Texas.
Captain Nathan L. Galloway, Jr., Ser
#, Company “M”, 386th Infantry Regiment for meritorious achievement in a
military operation against an armed enemy of the United States on 8 April 1945,
in Germany. Entered military service from Texas.
Chaplain (Captain) David C. Ham, Ser
#, Headquarters 387th infantry Regiment, for meritorious achievement in a
military operation against an armed enemy of the United States during the
period of 25 April 1945 to 2 May 1945, in Germany and Czechoslovakia. Entered
military service from Kansas.
Captain John B. Hemingway, Ser #,
387th Infantry Regiment, for meritorious achievement in military operations
against an armed enemy of the United States during the period of 26 April 1945
to 2 May 1945, in Germany and Czechoslovakia. Entered military service from
Iowa.
Captain Everett C. Silvia, Ser #,
386th Infantry Regiment for meritorious achievement in military operations
against an armed enemy of the United States during the period of 1 April 1945
to 9 May 1945, in Germany and Czechoslovakia. Entered military service from
California.
First Lieutenant John L. Palka, Ser
#, Company “M”, 386th Infantry Regiment for meritorious achievement in
military operations against an armed enemy of the United States during the
period of 1 April 1945 to 3 May 1945, in Germany and Czechoslovakia. Entered
military service from Illinois.
First Lieutenant William L. Belz, Jr.,
Ser #, Company “B”, 303rd Infantry Regiment, for heroic achievement in a
military operation against an armed enemy of the United States on 9 April 1945,
in Germany. Entered military service from Illinois.
First Lieutenant Leotus Miller, Ser
#, Company “K”, 387th Infantry Regiment for heroic achievement in a
military operation against an armed enemy of the United States on 24 April
1945, in Germany. Entered military service from Tennessee.
First Lieutenant Frank L. Virgin, Ser
#, Company “M”, 387th Infantry Regiment for heroic achievement in a
military operation against an armed enemy of the United States on 24 April
1945, in Germany. Entered military service from Alabama.
Second Lieutenant Morris T. Moore, Ser
#, Company “A”, 782d Tank Battalion for heroic achievement in a military
operation against an armed enemy of the United States on 24 April 1945, in
Germany.
Second Lieutenant Jake C. Stern, Ser
#, Company “A”, 303d Infantry Regiment for heroic achievement in a military
operation against an armed enemy of the United States on 24 April 1945, in
Germany. Entered military service from Mississippi.
Chief Warrant Officer Albert S. Traub,
Ser #, 97th Signal Company, for meritorious service in military
operations against an armed enemy of the United States during the period of 8
February 1945 to 7 May 1945, in Germany and Czechoslovakia. Entered military
service from Illinois.
Staff Sergeant Thomas A. Merriss, Ser
#, Company “C”, 303d Infantry Regiment for meritorious achievement in a military
operation against an armed enemy of the United States on 25 April 1945, in
Germany. Entered military service from Ohio.
Staff Sergeant Cornelius Hoogewerf, Ser
#, Company “A”, 303d Infantry Regiment for heroic achievement in a military
operation against an armed enemy of the United States on 1 May 1945, in
Germany. Entered military service from Indiana.
Staff Sergeant Robert F. Whittington,
Ser #, Company “D”, 303d Infantry Regiment for meritorious achievement
in a military operation against an armed enemy of the United States on 2 May
1945, in Germany. Entered military service from Indiana.
Staff Sergeant Duane C. Hess, Ser
#, Company “D”, 386th Infantry Regiment for meritorious achievement in a
military operation against an armed enemy of the United States on 2 May 1945,
in Germany. Entered military service from Nebraska.
Staff Sergeant Lawrence H. Kilgore,
(then Sergeant), Ser #, Company “F”, 386th Infantry Regiment for
meritorious achievement in a military operation against an armed enemy of the
United States on 10 April 1945, in Germany. Entered military service from Ohio.
Technician Third Grade Marion E.
Erlandson, (then Technician Fourth Grade), Ser #, Medical
Detachment, 387th Infantry Regiment for heroic achievement in a military
operation against an armed enemy of the United States on 2 May 1945, in
Czechoslovakia. Entered military service from Minnesota.
Sergeant Robert L. Eckert, (then
Private First Class), Ser #, Headquarters Company, 3d Battalion, 387th
Infantry Regiment for heroic achievement in a military operation against an
armed enemy of the United States on 14 April 1945, in Germany. Entered military
service from Ohio.
Sergeant Robert T. Harris, Jr., Ser
#, Headquarters Company, 3d Battalion, 387th Infantry Regiment for heroic
achievement in a military operation against an armed enemy of the United States
on 14 April 1945, in Germany. Entered military service from Iowa.
Technician Fourth Grade Marco L. Berro,
Ser #, Medical Detachment, 303d Infantry Regiment for meritorious
achievement in a military operation against an armed enemy of the United States
on 25 April 1945, in Germany. Entered military service from California.
Corporal Thomas J. Driscoll, Ser #,
Anti-Tank Company, 387th Infantry Regiment for heroic achievement in a military
operation against an armed enemy of the United States on 16 April 1945, in
Germany. Entered military service from Massachusetts.
Corporal Louis P. Foppoli, Ser #,
Anti-Tank Company, 387th Infantry Regiment for heroic achievement in a military
operation against an armed enemy of the United States on 16 April 1945, in
Germany. Entered military service from California.
Corporal Rubin Saposnik, Ser #,
Company “M”, 387th Infantry Regiment for meritorious achievement in a military
operation against an armed enemy of the United States on 16 April 1945, in
Germany. Entered military service from Illinois.
Corporal Lester Yollick, Ser #,
Company “A”, 820th Tank Destroyer Battalion,
for
heroic achievement in a military operation against an armed enemy of the United
States on 26 April 1945, in Germany. Entered military service from Michigan.
Technician Fifth Grade Paul H. Montgomery,
Ser #, Company “C”, 303d Infantry Regiment, for meritorious achievement
in a military operation against an armed enemy of the United States on 25 April
1945, in Germany. Entered military service from Missouri.
Technician Fifth Grade Ivo H. Meinerding,
Ser #, Medical Detachment, 387th Infantry Regiment for heroic
achievement in a military operation against an armed enemy of the United States
on 24 April 1945, in Germany. Entered military service from Ohio.
Technician Fifth Grade Arthur W. Kendall,
Ser #, Headquarters Company, 2d Battalion, 387th Infantry Regiment for
heroic achievement in a military operation against an armed enemy of the United
States on 24 April 1945, in Germany. Entered military service from Illinois.
Technician Fifth Grade Eric G. Horst,
Ser #, Medical Detachment, 387th Infantry Regiment for heroic
achievement in a military operation against an armed enemy of the United States
on 9 April 1945, in Germany. Entered military service from Michigan.
Technician Fifth Grade Dominic Gallagher,
Ser #, Headquarters Company, 387th Infantry Regiment for meritorious
achievement in a military operation against an armed enemy of the United States
on 8 April 1945, in Germany. Entered military service from California.
Technician Fifth Grade Earl R. Walter,
Ser #, Headquarters Company, 387th Infantry Regiment for meritorious
achievement in a military operation against an armed enemy of the United States
on 8 April 1945, in Germany. Entered military service from Pennsylvania.
Private First Class William A. Bassett,
Ser #, Company “C”, 303d Infantry Regiment, for meritorious achievement
in a military operation against an armed enemy of the United States on 25 April
1945, in Germany. Entered military service from New York.
Private First Class Michael W. Bray, Ser
#, Company “C”, 303d Infantry Regiment, for meritorious achievement in a
military operation against an armed enemy of the United States on 25 April
1945, in Germany. Entered military service from Michigan.
Private First Class Roy E. Couch, Ser
#, Company “C”, 303d Infantry Regiment, for meritorious achievement in a
military operation against an armed enemy of the United States on 25 April
1945, in Germany. Entered military service from Arkansas.
Private First Class Robert J. Draper,
Ser #, Company “C”, 303d Infantry Regiment, for meritorious achievement
in a military operation against an armed enemy of the United States on 25 April
1945, in Germany. Entered military service from Illinois.
Private First Class Leland L. Eggerling,
Ser #, Company “C”, 303d Infantry Regiment, for meritorious achievement
in a military operation against an armed enemy of the United States on 25 April
1945, in Germany. Entered military service from California.
Private First Class Ian H. MacDonald,
Ser #, Company “C”, 303d Infantry Regiment, for meritorious achievement
in a military operation against an armed enemy of the United States on 25 April
1945, in Germany. Entered military service from Massachusetts.
Private First Class Harley A. Wentworth,
(then Private), Ser #, Company “C”, 303d Infantry Regiment, for
meritorious achievement in a military operation against an armed enemy of the
United States on 25 April 1945, in Germany. Entered military service from Iowa.
Private First Class Carl A. Froehlin,
Ser #, Medical Detachment, 387th Infantry Regiment, for meritorious
achievement in a military operation against an armed enemy of the United States
on 25 April 1945, in Germany. Entered military service from Michigan.
Private First Class Harold Weisberg,
(then Private), Ser #, Medical Detachment, 387th Infantry Regiment, for
meritorious achievement in a military operation against an armed enemy of the
United States on 25 April 1945, in Germany. Entered military service from
Connecticut.
Private First Class Ira J. Wooster,
(then Private), Ser #, Medical Detachment, 387th Infantry Regiment, for
meritorious achievement in a military operation against an armed enemy of the
United States on 25 April 1945, in Germany. Entered military service from
Michigan.
Private First Class Edwin M. Tuno, Ser
#, Headquarters Company, 387th Infantry Regiment, for meritorious
achievement in a military operation against an armed enemy of the United States
on 8 April 1945, in Germany. Entered military service from Tennessee.
Private First Class Earl G. Mink, Ser
#, Headquarters Company, 387th Infantry Regiment, for meritorious
achievement in a military operation against an armed enemy of the United States
on 8 April 1945, in Germany. Entered military service from Tennessee.
Private First Class Carl F. Albert, Ser
#, Headquarters Company, 387th Infantry Regiment, for meritorious
achievement in a military operation against an armed enemy of the United States
on 8 April 1945, in Germany. Entered military service from Ohio.
Private First Class Henry W. Hess, Ser
#, Company “B”, 303d Infantry Regiment, for heroic achievement in a
military operation against an armed enemy of the United States on 9 April 1945,
in Germany. Entered military service from New York.
Private First Class Charles Cummings,
(then Private), Ser #, Headquarters Company, 3d Battalion, 387th
Infantry Regiment, for heroic achievement in a military operation against an
armed enemy of the United States on 14 April 1945, in Germany. Entered military
service from Tennessee.
Private First Class John R. Pitcher, Jr.,
Ser #, Company “M”, 387th Infantry Regiment, for heroic achievement in a
military operation against an armed enemy of the United States on 25 April
1945, in Czechoslovakia. Entered military service from Pennsylvania.
Private First Class William J. Arterberry,
Ser #, Company “D”, 303d Infantry Regiment, for meritorious achievement
in a military operation against an armed enemy of the United States on 2 May
1945, in Germany. Entered military service from Oklahoma.
Private First Class William E. Shafer,
Ser #, Medical Detachment, 386th Infantry Regiment, for heroic
achievement in a military operation against an armed enemy of the United States
on 5 April 1945, in Czechoslovakia. Entered military service from Ohio.
Private First Class Rudolf P. May, Ser
#, Company “E”, 303d Infantry Regiment, for heroic achievement in a
military operation against an armed enemy of the United States on 9 April 1945,
in Germany. Entered military service from District of Columbia.
Private First Class John E. Martin, Ser
#, Company “E”, 303d Infantry Regiment, for heroic achievement in a
military operation against an armed enemy of the United States on 9 April 1945,
in Germany. Entered military service from Wisconsin.
Private First Class Jesse L. Pollard,
Ser #, Medical Detachment, 387th Infantry Regiment, for heroic
achievement in a military operation against an armed enemy of the United States
on 24 April 1945, in Germany. Entered military service from North Carolina.
Private First Class Wilbur D. Burress,
Ser #, Company “k”, 387th Infantry Regiment, for heroic achievement in a
military operation against an armed enemy of the United States on 24 April
1945, in Germany. Entered military service from Missouri.
V. PURPLE
HEART. Under provisions of AR 600-45, 22 September 1943, as
amended,
the Purple Heart is awarded to the following enlisted men for wounds received
as a result of enemy action on the date indicated, in Germany.
Staff Sergeant Eugene Corbitt, Ser
#, Company “K”, 386th Infantry Regiment, on 5 April 1945. Entered military service from Texas.
Staff Sergeant Alex J. Vargo, Ser
#, Company “K”, 386th Infantry Regiment, on 9 April 1945. Entered military service from Michigan.
Technician Fourth Grade Harry K. Milner,
Ser #, Medical Detachment, 387th Infantry Regiment, on 9 April
1945. Entered military service from
Pennsylvania.
Private First Class Donald L. Lackman,
Ser #, Company “B”, 387th Infantry Regiment, on 11 April 1945. Entered military service from Washington.
Private First Class George E. McCoy, Ser
#, Company “B”, 387th Infantry Regiment, on 10 April 1945. Entered military service from Kentucky.
Private First Class Alec Andras, Ser
#, Company “I”, 386th Infantry Regiment, on 11 April 1945. Entered military service from New York.
Private First Class James P. Keeney, Ser
#, Company “I”, 386th Infantry Regiment, on 9 April 1945. Entered military service from Pennsylvania.
Private First Class George Lilmetis, Ser
#, Company “I”, 386th Infantry Regiment, on 11 April 1945. Entered military service from New York.
Private First Class Humberto Lopez, Ser
#, Company “I”, 386th Infantry Regiment, on 14 April 1945. Entered military service from New York.
Private First Class Gerald D. George,
Ser #, Company “K”, 386th Infantry Regiment, on 9 April 1945. Entered military service from Nebraska.
Private First Class Raymond A. Goblisch,
Ser #, Company “K”, 386th Infantry Regiment, on 9 April 1945. Entered military service from Minnesota.
Private First Class Calvin R. Hines, Ser
#, Company “K”, 386th Infantry Regiment, on 8 April 1945. Entered military service from Arizona.
Private First Class George J. Streckfuss,
Ser #, Company “K”, 386th Infantry Regiment, on 8 April 1945. Entered military service from Ohio.
Private
First Class Albert V. Henderson, Ser #, Company “L”, 386th
Infantry Regiment, on 7 April 1945.
Entered military service from Oregon.
BY
COMMAND OF BREGADIER GENERAL HALSEY:
EDWARD O. WOLF
COLONEL,
GENERAL STAFF CORPS
CHIEF OF STAFF
OFFICIAL:
ORIGINAL SIGNED
C. A. GILMORE, JR
Captain, Adjutant General’s Department
Assistant Adjutant
General
DISTRIBUTION:
A, B, E & K
R-E-S-T-R-I-C-T-E-D
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