Sample Citations

Raymond E. Evans, 37 068 907, Silver Star, Staff Sergeant, Infantry, Company G, 274th Infantry, for gallantry in action on 21 February and 3 March 1945, near Etzling and Styring Wendel, France. During an attack on 21 February, the first platoon of Company G was attached to Company B, 274th Infantry, as protection for the latter's right flank. When his squad was pinned down by enemy machine gun fire, Staff Sergeant Evans exhibited outstanding bravery by exposing himself to hostile fire in order to make a personal reconnaissance of the situation. Having discovering a comparatively safe route, he skillfully led his squad to a position where they fired upon the enemy machine gunners, forcing them to withdraw and abandon their guns. Demoralized, 32 of the enemy surrendered immediately thereafter. On 3 March, to guarantee the security of his company's right flank, Staff Sergeant Evans again displayed superior courage and leadership by first crossing 100 yards of open terrain alone, to a house from which he skillfully placed his men 100 yards into enemy territory where their line of fire was sufficiently forceful to safely secure the company's flank. Entered military service from Shelby, Mississippi.

Virgil W Elder, 37 696 794, Private First Class, Company G,  274th Infantry. Next of kin: Gertrude Elder (Mother), Conrad, Iowa and Carl W. Shields, 37 742 915, Private First Class, Company G, 274th Infantry. Next of kin: Carl B. Shields, Sr., (Father), Route 1, Pineville, Missouri. Silver Star, Posthumous Award. For gallantry in action on 20 February 1945, near Styring-Wendel, France. When the attack of the first platoon was stopped by intense enemy machine gun fire from the front and right flank, these men, disregarding their own safety, crept from the extreme right of their unit to a position from which they could fire upon the machine gun in front of their platoon. Firing their rifles at close range, they engaged the hostile gun, and, although killed during the engagement, their heroic efforts enabled their unit to withdraw and later outflank the enemy positions with a minimum of casualties. The gallant sacrifice and devotion to duty of these men exemplify the finest traditions of the Armed Forces of the United States. Source: General Order #26, 70th Div. dated April 16, 1945.

Archie Smith, Bronze Star, Company E, 274th Infantry for heroic achievement in action on 5 March, 1945. During the assault on enemy strong points near Styring Wendel, France, Technical Sergeant Smith saw one of his men wounded by artillery fire. He immediately left cover and, disregarding the mortar and artillery concentrations falling about him, crossed 250 yards of open ground, gave first aid, and then carried the casualty to safety. His fearless act reflects the highest standards of the armed forces of the United States. Entered military service from Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. (Source: General Order No. 51, 70th Infantry Division, dated 25 April, 1945)

William F Bassak, E/274, Bronze Star, on January 7 and 8, 1945, at Wingen, France, performed meritorious service. In a group cut off from its company by an enemy counterattack, he assisted the organization of the defenses in an old building, the helped carry in nine seriously wounded men. He applied compresses and administered morphine and sulfa drugs to the patients, found blankets, overcoats, and rugs to cover and warm them, and through out the night performed many acts to aid their recovery. When relief arrived next morning, the wounded men were in high spirits, due in large measure to Sergeant's Bassak's noble efforts. (Source: Official Citation)

William E Lehman, E/274, Distinguished Service Cross, For extraordinary heroism in action on 18 February 1945, in the vicinity of Behren, France. Sergeant Lehman dived on his own grenade, the pin of which had been pulled accidently, to smother the fragmentation with his body and save the lives of five soldiers who were with him. Receiving the full brunt of the concussion and burst of the grenade, which he covered with his body, he suffered instant death. His gallantry, courage and devotion to his fellow soldiers, exemplified the highest traditions of the armed forces. Posthumous Award (Source: GO No. 577, Hq. 7th Army Western Military Dist., 4 Oct. 1945, S/Sgt, Inf. Co. E, 274th Inf Regt.)

Fred M. Craig, E/274, Bronze Star, for heroic achievement in action 18 February 1945 in the vicinity of Behren and Kerbach, France. When his unit was separated from an adjacent company during an attack, Lieutenant Craig set out alone to establish contact, rather than send someone else through woods not cleared of enemy troops. While reconnoitering he was painfully wounded by an enemy machinegun. Boldly exposing himself again to hostile fire, Lieutenant Craig was able to determine the location of the gun emplacement. Later he directed the attack which neutralized this hostile strong point. His courageous action eliminated a serious threat to his company's flank. Entered military service from Sumner, Illinois. (Source: General Order 33, dated 29 April 1945, 70th Infantry Division)

Alan G Anderson, A/274, Bronze Star, for heroic achievement in action on January 5 1945. Under heavy artillery, mortar and small arms fire near Phillippsbourg, France, Sergeant Anderson, with a comrade, crawled forward from concealment in a woods to an exposed position where he emplaced a 60mm mortar. Immediately opening fire, he destroyed an enemy machine gun position and forced the withdrawal of an enemy mortar crew. This courageous action enabled the company to complete a successful attack. Entered military service from Rockford, Illinois. (Source, General Order 33, 70th Infantry Division, dated 29 April 1945)

Paul D Bartley, D/274, Bronze Star, for heroic achievement in action on 23 February 1945. While his platoon supported an attack in th ewooded hills west of Etzling, France, Staff Sergeant Bartley, HMG section leader, was reconnoitering for gun positions 150 yards away. The enemy launched a counterattack against the machine gun platoon's right flank while the gun crews were moving forward with equipment dismounted and on their shoulders. Staff Sergeant Bartley immediately ran to his section through heavy small arms fire, deployed his men, and took over operation of a machine gun himself. He laid down such effective fire that the enemy attack was repelled with heavy casualties. Staff Sergeant Bartley's gallantry and initiative reflect the highest standards of the Armed Forces of the United States. Entered military service from Altoona, Pennsylvania. (Source, General Order 33, 70th Infantry Division, dated 29 April 1945)

Leon A Bartram, C/274, Bronze Star, for heroic achievement in action on 13 January 1945 near Phillippsbourg, France. Volunteering to re-establish an important listening post where a wounded comrade had been cut off by the enemy, Staff Sergeant Bartram courageously led two men forward through a steep draw covered by hostile machine guns and under heavy artillery fire. He discovered that the listening post was occupied by the enemy, and the wounded comrade probably captured. Continuing on alone, Staff Sergeant Bartram gained a vantage point from which he observed the enemy massing for a counterattack. He returned to his unit with this information, and fires were immediately placed upon the hostile forces, breaking up the counterattack before it could be successfully launched. Entered military service from Oregon, Mo. (Source, General Order 33, 70th Infantry Division, dated 29 April 1945)

Delbert C Brandt, A/274, Bronze Star, for heroic achievement in action on 20 February 1945 near Spicheren Heights, France. While assisting in covering their squad's assault on a pillbox, Private First Class Brandt and a comrade were first to detect an enemy force of approximately 12 men attacking from the right flank. Immediately moving into positions they aggressively engaged the hostile group with accurate rifle fire. When they were joined by other men covering the squad's assault, the enemy was completely routed. Private First Class Brandt's alertness, prompt initiative and gallantry helped secure the right flank and enabled his platoon to continue its mission. Entered military service from Troy, Ohio. (Source, General Order 33, 70th Infantry Division, dated 29 April 1945)

William C. Dukes, C/274th Infantry, Bronze Star, for heroic achievement in action on 10 March 1945, near Saarbrucken, Germany. Private First Class Dukes led a five man patrol one and one-half miles through enemy held woods to within 200 yards of hostile postions. Halting his patrol, Private First Class Dukes crawled even closer to the enemy and remained for some time observing their number and deployment. He then maneuvered his patrol back to his own lines without casualties. The information he so courageously gained was a decisive factor in the attack his company subsequently made. Entered military service from Robeline, Louisiana. (Source, General Order 33, 70th Infantry Division, dated 29 April 1945)

Charles D. Eblen Jr, Company F/274th Infantry, Bronze Star, for heroic achievement in action on 24 February 1945, at Etzling, France. After the capture of Spicheren Heights, Captain Eblen, then platoon leader, assumed command of the battle weary company. Skillfully reorganizing the unit, he led it against counterattacking forces threatening his battalion's left flank. Captain Eblen's untiring efforts and superb leadership under heavy artillery and small arms fire so inspired his men that they repelled the counterattack, enabling his battalion to advance to its objective. Entered military from Ashland, Kentucky.(Source, General Order 33, 70th Infantry Division, dated 29 April 1945)

Neal C. Gibbs Jr, 37 744 165, Bronze Star, Staff Sergeant, Company L, 274th Infantry, for heroic achievement in action on 6 March 1945. During the attack on the Simon Mine near Styring Wendel, France, Company L 274th Infantry had many wounded who could not be evacuated because of enemy fire. Staff Sergeant Gibbs voluntarily led his squad forward under heavy artillery and mortar fire and engaged the hostile gun position. This courageous action successfully diverted the attention of the enemy and enabled litter bearers to evacuate the casualties in safety. Entered military service from Kansas City, Missouri. (Source, General Order 33, 70th Infantry Division, dated 29 April 1945)

Secondary Source:

Campaign Credits - Medal Identification - General Orders 
274th Honor Roll