World War II (1939 - 1945)
- Baker, Vernon J.
- Citation: For extraordinary heroism in action on 5 and 6 April
1945, near Viareggio, Italy. Then Second Lieutenant Baker demonstrated outstanding courage
and leadership in destroying enemy installations, personnel and equipment during his
company's attack against a strongly entrenched enemy in mountainous terrain. When his
company was stopped by the concentration of fire from several machine gun emplacements, he
crawled to one position and destroyed it, killing three Germans. Continuing forward, he
attacked and enemy observation post and killed two occupants. With the aid of one of his
men, Lieutenant Baker attacked two more machine gun nests, killing or wounding the four
enemy soldiers occupying these positions. He then covered the evacuation of the wounded
personnel of his company by occupying an exposed position and drawing the enemy's fire. On
the following night Lieutenant Baker voluntarily led a battalion advance through enemy
mine fields and heavy fire toward the division objective. Second Lieutenant Baker's
fighting spirit and daring leadership were an inspiration to his men and exemplify the
highest traditions of the Armed Forces.
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- Carter, Edward A., Jr.
- Citation: For extraordinary heroism in action on 23 March
1945, near Speyer, Germany. When the tank on which he was riding received heavy bazooka
and small arms fire, Sergeant Carter voluntarily attempted to lead a three-man group
across an open field. Within a short time, two of his men were killed and the third
seriously wounded. Continuing on alone, he was wounded five times and finally forced to
take cover. As eight enemy riflemen attempted to capture him, Sergeant Carter killed six
of them and captured the remaining two. He then crossed the field using as a shield his
two prisoners from which he obtained valuable information concerning the disposition of
enemy troops. Staff Sergeant Carter's extraordinary heroism was an inspiration to the
officers and men of the Seventh Army Infantry Company Number 1 (Provisional) and exemplify
the highest traditions of the Armed Forces.
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- Fox, John R.
- Citation: For extraordinary heroism against an armed enemy in
the vicinity of Sommocolonia, Italy on 26 December 1944, while serving as a member of
Cannon Company, 366th Infantry Regiment, 92d Infantry Division. During the preceding few
weeks, Lieutenant Fox served with the 598th Field Artillery Battalion as a forward
observer. On Christmas night, enemy soldiers gradually infiltrated the town of
Sommocolonia in civilian clothes, and by early morning the town was largely in hostile
hands. Commencing with a heavy barrage of enemy artillery at 0400 hours on 26 December
1944, an organized attack by uniformed German units began. Being greatly outnumbered, most
of the United States Infantry forces were forced to withdraw from the town, but Lieutenant
Fox and some other members of his observer party voluntarily remained on the second floor
of a house to direct defensive artillery fire. At 0800 hours, Lieutenant Fox reported that
the Germans were in the streets and attacking in strength. He then called for defensive
artillery fire to slow the enemy advance. As the Germans continued to press the attack
towards the area that Lieutenant Fox occupied, he adjusted the artillery fire closer to
his position. Finally he was warned that the next adjustment would bring the deadly
artillery right on top of his position. After acknowledging the danger, Lieutenant Fox
insisted that the last adjustment be fired as this was the only way to defeat the
attacking soldiers. Later, when a counterattack retook the position from the Germans,
Lieutenant Fox's body was found with the bodies of approximately 100 German soldiers.
Lieutenant Fox's gallant and courageous actions, at the supreme sacrifice of his own life,
contributed greatly to delaying the enemy advance until other infantry and artillery units
could reorganize to repel the attack. His extraordinary valorous actions were in keeping
with the most cherished traditions of military service, and reflect the utmost credit on
him, his unit, and the United States Army.
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- James, Willy F., Jr.
- Citation: For extraordinary heroism in action on 7 April 1945
near Lippoldsberg, Germany. As lead scout during a maneuver to secure and expand a vital
bridgehead, Private First Class James was the first to draw enemy fire. He was pinned down
for over an hour, during which time he observed enemy positions in detail. Returning to
his platoon, he assisted in working out a new plan of maneuver. He then led a squad in the
assault, accurately designating targets as he advanced, until he was killed by enemy
machine gun fire while going to the aid of his fatally wounded platoon leader. Private
First Class James' fearless, self-assigned actions, coupled with his diligent devotion to
duty exemplified the finest traditions of the Armed Forces.
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- Rivers, Rubin
- Citation: For extraordinary heroism in action during the 15-19
November 1944, toward Guebling, France. Though severely wounded in the leg, Sergeant
Rivers refused medical treatment and evacuation, took command of another tank, and
advanced with his company in Guebling the next day. Repeatedly refusing evacuation,
Sergeant Rivers continued to direct his tank's fire at enemy positions through the morning
of 19 November 1944. At dawn, Company A's tanks began to advance towards Bougaktroff, but
were stopped by enemy fire. Sergeant Rivers, joined by another tank, opened fire on the
enemy tanks, covering company A as they withdrew. While doing so, Sergeant River's tank
was hit, killing him and wounding the crew. Staff Sergeant Rivers' fighting spirit and
daring leadership were an inspiration to his unit and exemplify the highest traditions of
military service.
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- Thomas, Charles L.
- Citation: For extraordinary heroism in action on 14 December
1944, near Climbach, France. While riding in the lead vehicle of a task force organized to
storm and capture the village of Climbach, France, then First Lieutenant Thomas's armored
scout car was subjected to intense enemy artillery, self-propelled gun, and small arms
fire. Although wounded by the initial burst of hostile fire, Lieutenant Thomas signaled
the remainder of the column to halt and, despite the severity of his wounds, assisted the
crew of the wrecked car in dismounting. Upon leaving the scant protection which the
vehicle afforded, Lieutenant Thomas was again subjected to a hail of enemy fire which
inflicted multiple gunshot wounds in his chest, legs, and left arm. Despite the intense
pain caused by these wounds, Lieutenant Thomas ordered and directed the dispersion and
emplacement of two antitank guns which in a few moments were promptly and effectively
returning the enemy fire. Realizing that he could no longer remain in command of the
platoon, he signaled to the platoon commander to join him. Lieutenant Thomas then
thoroughly oriented him on enemy gun dispositions and the general situation. Only after he
was certain that his junior officer was in full control of the situation did he permit
himself to be evacuated. First Lieutenant Thomas' outstanding heroism were an inpiration
to his men and exemplify the highest traditions of the Armed Forces.
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- Watson, George
- Citation: For extraordinary heroism in action on 8 March 1943.
Private Watson was on board a ship which was attacked and hit by enemy bombers. When the
ship was abandoned, Private Watson, instead of seeking to save himself, remained in the
water assisting several soldiers who could not swim to reach the safety of the raft. This
heroic action, which subsequently cost him his life, resulted in the saving of several of
his comrades. Weakened by his exertions, he was dragged down by the suction of the sinking
ship and was drowned. Private Watson's extraordinarily valorous actions, daring
leadership, and self-sacrificing devotion to his fellow-man exemplify the finest
traditions of military service.
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