Born: July 29, 1924
Private First Class, United States Army Service# 39924628 314TH INFANTRY REGIMENT,
79TH INFANTRY DIVISION “CROSS OF LORRAINE” Date of Enlistment: December 21, 1943
Home or Place of Enlistment: Murtaugh, Idaho Died: January 25, 1945 Buried: Epinal American Cemetery, Dinozé, Normandy, France Killed in Action while conducting combat operations against
Nazi Germany Forces during World War II. |
The 79TH INFANTRY DIVISION is awarded the
FRENCH CROIX DE GUERRE WITH PALMawarded under Decision No. 273, 22 July 1946, by the President of
the Provisional Government of the French Republic, with the following citation: A remarkable unit which displayed splendid endurance and exceptional fighting zeal. It distinguished itself brilliantly from 21 to 24 November 1944 in hard combat. It mopped up in the forest of Parroy and materially aided the 2d Armored French Division to break through to the Col de Saverne. In spite of heavy losses, it fought stubbornly against a dashing and fanatical enemy, preventing it from reappearing in the Vosges. It thus contributed greatly to the liberation of Baccaret, Phalsbourg, and Saverne.
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Splendid unit incited by savage vigor, landed in Normandy in June 1944. Covered itself with glory in the battles of Saint-Lo and at Haye-du-Puits. Participated in the capture of Fougeres, Laval, and Le Mans, then crossing the Seine at Maintes-Gassicourt, on 19 August 1944, inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy before marching triumphantly into Paris on 27 August 1944. By its bold actions, contributed largely to the success of the Allied armies and the liberation of Paris.
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