G.O. No. 12, Hq. 8th Armd. Div., 22 March, 1945, Page 5 - Award of Silver Star
Gibbons, Thomas E.
Private First Class, U.S. Army
Company A, 58th Armored Infantry Battalion, 8th Armored Division
Date of Action: February 26, 1945
Citation:
The Silver Star is presented to Thomas E. Gibbons (38482204), Private First Class, U.S. Army, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving with Company A, 58th Armored Infantry Battalion, 8th Armored Division, in Holland on 26 February 1945. Private Gibbons, himself wounded, remained when his company withdrew to render aid to a more seriously wounded companion. Exposed to enemy observation throughout the day, Private Gibbons lay in an open field waiting for darkness before he evacuated the man to a point of safety. His gallant action in saving the life of a friend reflects greatest credit upon himself and upon the Armed Forces of the United States. Hometown: La Veta, Colorado. |
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G.O. No. 12, Hq. 8th Armd. Div., DD MMM, 1945, Page 1 - Award of Silver Star - Posthumeous
Love, Earl F.
Private First Class, U.S. Army
Company A, 58th Armored Infantry Battalion, 8th Armored Division
Date of Action: February 26, 1945
Citation:
The Silver Star is presented to Earl F. Love (33536064), Private First Class, U.S. Army, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving with Company A, 58th Armored Infantry Battalion, 8th Armored Division, in Holland on 26 February 1945. While advancing against the enemy, Private Love, light machine gunner for his platoon, was wounded. Disregarding his wound, he set up his gun and directed fire of tanks with tracers. Despite enemy observation, he moved forward to get a better field of fire. When his platoon withdrew, he remained in a position to cover the withdrawal. While doing so he was again wounded, this time fatally. His gallant action was the final factor in making possible an orderly withdrawal and reflects greatest credit on himself and the Military Service of the United States. Hometown: Sydnorsville, Virginia.
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G.O. No. 15, Hq. 8th Armd. Div., 27 March, 1945, Page 3 - Award of Silver Star
Caspers, George H.
Private First Class, U.S. Army
Company B, 58th Armored Infantry Battalion, 8th Armored Division
Date of Action: February 26, 1945
Citation:
The Silver Star is presented to George H. Caspers (37665007), Private First Class, U.S. Army, for gallantry in action against the enemy in Holland on 26 February 1945. Private Caspers' platoon was pinned down by cross-fire. He obtained a bazooka and crawled seventy-five yards forward to a point where he could observe the enemy positions. His first round knocked out one machine gun. His weapon damaged by enemy fire, he returned for another. Crawling back to his original post, he succeeded in eliminating the other gun. Private Caspers' mission was carried out despite heavy machine gun and mortar fire which caused numerous casualties in the area. His actions were an inspiration to all and reflect credit on himself and the Military Forces of the United States. Hometown: Iowa.
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G.O. No. 15, Hq. 8th Armd. Div., 27 March, 1945, Page 1 - Award of Silver Star - Posthumeous
Fields, Carl W.
Private First Class, U.S. Army
Company C, 58th Armored Infantry Battalion, 8th Armored Division
Date of Action: February 26, 1945
Citation:
The Silver Star is presented to Carl W. Fields (38353454), Private First Class, U.S. Army, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving with Company C, 58th Armored Infantry Battalion, 8th Armored Division, in Holland on 26 February 1945. Private Fields was advancing with his platoon on a strongly fortified enemy position. The platoon was pinned down and unable to direct their fire on the enemy position. Private Fields, realizing the situation, advanced over open terrain. Ignoring the intense machine gun and small arms fire, he directed his rifle fire on two positions. He succeeded in forcing the enemy to cover. His action enabled his platoon to advance and eliminate the enemy strong points. During the course of the action, Private Fields was fatally wounded by machine gun fire. His gallant action held casualties to a minimum and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Armed Forces of the United States. Hometown: Arkansas.
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G.O. No. 24, Hq. 8th Armd. Div., 3 May, 1945, Page 2 - Award of Silver Star
Artman, George
Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry), U.S. Army
Commanding Officer, 58th Armored Infantry Battalion, 8th Armored Division
Date of Action: April 7 & 13, 1945
Citation:
The Silver Star is presented to George Artman (0-21343), Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry), U.S. Army, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Commanding Officer of the 58th Armored Infantry Battalion in Germany on 7 April and 13 April 1945. Under conditions of extremely limited observation, Colonel (then Major) Artman personally led a company of his command in the attack on an enemy town, and then to the successful accomplishment of its mission. There he repulsed vicious enemy counterattacks by heavy tanks and artillery fire. His actions enabled his task force to successfully complete its missions, and reflect great credit on himself and the Armed Forces of the United States. Hometown: San Antonio, Texas.
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G.O. No. 24, Hq. 8th Armd. Div., 3 May, 1945, Page 3 - Award of Silver Star
Avila, Urban P.
Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army
Company A, 58th Armored Infantry Battalion, 8th Armored Division
Date of Action: April 8, 1945
Citation:
The Silver Star is presented to Urban P. Avila (3751264), Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving with Company A, 58th Armored Infantry Battalion, 8th Armored Division, in Germany on 8 April 1945. Sergeant Avila displayed outstanding leadership as a squad leader. During an attack, he directed fire on a machine gun position, forcing the gunners to withdraw. He then led an assault on an enemy tank, forcing its withdrawal. After reforming his forces, Sergeant Avila led a five-man patrol in search of enemy tanks. Ambushed, he deployed his forces in a manner to cover complete withdrawal. His display of courage and leadership inspired his men and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Armed Forces of the United States. Hometown: Clearwater, Kansas.
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G.O. No. 27, Hq. 8th Armd. Div., 6 May, 1945, Page 1 - Award of Silver Star
Overby, Paul Ivan
Private First Class, U.S. Army
Company B, 58th Armored Infantry Battalion, 8th Armored Division
Date of Action: March 30, 1945
Citation:
The Silver Star is presented to Paul Ivan Overby (38609120), Private First Class, U.S. Army, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving with Company B, 58th Armored Infantry Battalion, 8th Armored Division, in action in Germany on 30 March 1945. Private Overby's platoon was held up by enemy riflemen who, from their entrenched position, controlled a large area. Upon receiving an order to dispose of this enemy, Private Overby exposed himself and opened fire with his automatic rifle. Although wounded in the arm and suffering intense pain from an activated smoke grenade attached to his person, he continued to fire until the enemy had been wiped out. Private Overby's courage and extreme devotion to duty reflect great credit on himself and the Armed Forces of the United States. Hometown: Haskell, Texas.
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G.O. No. 56, Hq. 8th Armd. Div., 28 June, 1945, Page 1 - Award of Silver Star - Posthumeous
Hubbard, Robert J.
Private First Class, U.S. Army
Headquarters, 58th Armored Infantry Battalion, 8th Armored Division
Date of Action: April 4, 1945
Citation:
The Silver Star is presented to Robert J. Hubbard (42107128), Private First Class, U.S. Army, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving with Headquarters, 58th Armored Infantry Battalion, 8th Armored Division, in Germany on 4 April 1945. Private Hubbard was serving as scout for a reconnaissance platoon. Upon contacting the enemy, the platoon was pinned down. Private Hubbard immediately moved to the foremost position with a one-quarter ton truck. He opened fire with the machine gun mounted on the vehicle, thereby covering the withdrawal of the platoon. After exhausting two full boxes of ammunition, he dismounted. Remaining at his position, he opened fire with his carbine, firing two clips at the enemy, enabling the platoon to complete its withdrawal without casualties. While engaged in this mission, Private Hubbard was fatally wounded by enemy sniper fire. His devotion beyond the call of duty was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Armed Forces of the United States. Hometown: STATE.
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G.O. No. 57, Hq. 8th Armd. Div., 29 June, 1945, Page 1 - Award of Silver Star
Elias, Ralph J.
Captain (Infantry), U.S. Army
Company B, 58th Armored Infantry Battalion, 8th Armored Division
Date of Action: March 30, 1945
Citation:
The Silver Star is presented to Ralph J. Elias (0-1317381), Captain (Infantry), U.S. Army, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving with Company B, 58th Armored Infantry Battalion, 8th Armored Division, in Germany on 30 March 1945. When two large task forces were held up by enemy action, Captain (then First Lieutenant) Elias' company was given the assignment of crossing a canal, taking an enemy town, and wiping out resistance that was holding up the advance. Without regard for his own safety, Captain Elias led the assault platoons in this action. When the attack faltered in the face of machine gun and direct artillery fire, he personally went along the line encouraging his men and urging them forward. His splendid leadership and personal courage gave courage to his men and enabled them to carry the attack through to successful completion. Captain Elias' personal courage and devotion to duty reflect great credit on himself and the Armed Forces of the United States. Hometown: Georgetown, Kentucky.
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G.O. No. 76, Hq. 8th Armd. Div., 27 July, 1945, Page 2 - Award of Silver Star
Benn, James D.
Private First Class, U.S. Army
Company A, 58th Armored Infantry Battalion, 8th Armored Division
Date of Action: April 9, 1945
Citation:
The Silver Star is presented to James D. Benn (33768959), Private First Class, U.S. Army, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving with Company A, 58th Armored Infantry Battalion, 8th Armored Division, in Germany on 9 April 1945. When two members of a patrol were wounded, Private Benn left the safety of his position to reach his comrades. He advanced more than three hundred yards under machine gun, artillery and mortar fire. Discovering that one of the men had already died of his wounds, he carried the other back over the same terrain under continuing heavy fire. Reaching a place of safety he turned the man over to medical aid men. His personal courage and devotion beyond the call of duty reflect great credit on himself and the Armed Forces of the United States. Hometown: Deltona, Florida.
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G.O. No. 79, Hq. 8th Armd. Div., 2 August, 1945, Page 2 - Award of Silver Star
Estabrook, Clayton
Private First Class, U.S. Army
Company A, 58th Armored Infantry Battalion, 8th Armored Division
Date of Action: April 9, 1945
Citation:
The Silver Star is presented to Clayton Estabrook (31317955), Private First Class, U.S. Army, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving with Company A, 58th Armored Infantry Battalion, 8th Armored Division, in Germany on 9 April 1945. Private Estabrook, as a member of a combat patrol, advanced more than three hundred yards under intense fire, in order to direct rocket fire at three enemy tanks, forcing their withdrawal. He then assisted in knocking out a machine gun position, and with rifle fire, disabled an enemy staff car and caused casualties among its occupants. Later he was serving with another patrol which was ambushed. Private Estabrook, without regard for his own safety, remained with a wounded companion, rendering aid and moving him to a place of safety. He then returned to the rear under fire to secure aid for his comrade. His actions and devotion to duty reflect great credit on himself and the Armed Forces of the United States. Hometown: Maine.
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G.O. No. 79, Hq. 8th Armd. Div., 2 August, 1945, Page 1 - Award of Silver Star
McClain, William H.
Technical Sergeant, U.S. Army
Company C, 58th Armored Infantry Battalion, 8th Armored Division
Date of Action: February 26 & March 28, 1945
Citation:
The Silver Star is presented to William H. McClain (33668208), Technical Sergeant, U.S. Army, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving with Company C, 58th Armored Infantry Battalion, 8th Armored Division, in Holland and Germany on 26 February 1945 and 28 March 1945. When the radio operator was fatally wounded, Technical Sergeant (then Staff Sergeant) McClain voluntarily returned more than four hundred yards under intense fire to secure the radio equipment and maintain communications with the main force. Later he returned over the same route to secure food for his platoon. On another occasion Sergeant McClain voluntarily went alone, under cover of darkness, into territory from which his platoon had been forced to withdraw because of superior forces. He reconnoitered a bridge across a canal and gained necessary information which enabled another company to successfully cross. He then led a patrol into enemy territory. Without regard for his own safety he advanced to give aid to a wounded member of the patrol. His courage and devotion to duty were an inspiration to all and reflect great credit on himself and the Armed Forces of the United States. Hometown: Pennsylvania.
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