G.O. No. 20, Hq. 8th Armd. Div., 22 April, 1945, Page 4 - Award of Silver Star
Smith, Harry E.
Private, U.S. Army
Combat Command B, 8th Armored Division
Date of Action: April 2, 1945
Citation:
The Silver Star is presented to Harry E. Smith (36845273), Private, U.S. Army, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving with Combat Command B, 8th Armored Division, in Germany on 2 April 1945. Private Smith voluntarily drove his one-quarter ton vehicle to within ten yards of advancing enemy to rescue a comrade pinned down by enemy fire. Withdrawing under tank canon fire, he halted to pick up his commanding officer who was covering the rescue with sub-machinegun fire. He again halted to rescue a wounded soldier. His vehicle was struck by a tank shell. Private Smith was wounded. Despite his wounds, Private Smith extricated his vehicle and returned to his duties. His determination, devotion to duty and actions under fire were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Armed Forces of the Military Service. Hometown: Wisconsin.
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G.O. No. 25, Hq. 8th Armd. Div., 4 May, 1945, Page 1 - Award of Silver Star
Streed, John A.
Second Lieutenant (Field Artillery), U.S. Army
Combat Command B, 8th Armored Division
Date of Action: April 2, 1945
Citation:
The Silver Star is presented to John A. Streed (0-555985), Second Lieutenant (Field Artillery), U.S. Army, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving with Combat Command B, 8th Armored Division, in Germany on 2 April 1945. Lieutenant Streed, leading six men, withstood the attack of an estimated company of enemy infantry. When his position was flanked, he made a successful withdrawal. He then returned voluntarily to attempt the rescue of his commanding officer and several men who had been cut off. Lieutenant Streed was captured while on this mission. He convinced his captors to surrender and received submission of the garrison of the enemy town. His conduct throughout the engagement reflected great credit on himself and the Military Forces of the United States. Hometown: Moline, Illinois.
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G.O. No. 47, Hq. 8th Armd. Div., 9 June, 1945, Page 1 - Award of Silver Star
Colson, Charles F.
Brigadier General, U.S. Army
Combat Command A, 8th Armored Division
Date of Action: February 23 - 28, 1945
Citation:
The Silver Star is presented to Charles F. Colson (0-12173), Brigadier General, U.S. Army, for gallantry in action against the enemy while Commanding Combat Command A, 8th Armored Division, in Germany during the period 23 February 1945 to 28 February 1945. During this period General Colson displayed outstanding leadership and personal courage. Particularly during the attack on Dorsten, General Colson was habitually with the forward elements of his force and by close personal supervision made certain that all units cooperated to the fullest extent in carrying out the attack. Although frequently exposed to enemy fire of all types he completely disregarded his own safety and personally directed the actions of all elements of his command until the mission was successfully accomplished. His devotion to duty and courage were an inspiration to all and reflect great credit on himself and the Armed Forces of the United States. Hometown: South Carolina.
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G.O. No. 67, Hq. 8th Armd. Div., 13 July, 1945, Page 1 - Award of Silver Star
Vesely, Yarrow D.
Colonel (Field Artillery), U.S. Army
Commanding Officer, Combat Command R, 8th Armored Division
Date of Action: April 7 - 12, 1945
Citation:
The Silver Star is presented to Yarrow D. Vesely (0-4680), Colonel (Field Artillery), U.S. Army, for gallantry and dauntless courage action against the enemy in Germany from 7 April 1945 to 12 April 1945. Colonel Vesely, commanding Combat Command "R", 8th Armored Division, was given the mission of clearing the enemy from a sector north of the Ruhr River in the reduction of the Ruhr area fortress. During the entire action he remained in the front lines, instilling confidence in his troops by an heroic example of personal courage. The fighting echelons under his direction overcame stubborn resistance and swept the enemy from their zone of action. In accomplishing his mission, Colonel Vesely displayed remarkable skill and great personal courage under conditions of extreme danger. Colonel Vesely's resolute and heroic action brings great credit upon himself and is in keeping with the highest traditions of the Military Service. Hometown: Iowa.
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G.O. No. 67, Hq. 8th Armd. Div., 13 July, 1945, Page 1 - Award of Silver Star
Wallace, Robert J.
Colonel (Infantry), U.S. Army
Commanding Officer, Combat Command R, 8th Armored Division
Date of Action: March 26 - 31, 1945
Citation:
The Silver Star is presented to Robert J. Wallace (0-8260), Colonel (Infantry), U.S. Army, for gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy in Germany from 26 March 1945 to 31 March 1945. During this period Colonel Wallace, in command of Combat Command "R", 8th Armored Division, was given the mission of crossing the Rhine and driving the enemy from the Recklinghausen sector of the strongly fortified Ruhr industrial area. Deploying his task force in such a manner as to force the enemy to spend superior forces in a piecemeal manner he gained a tactical advantage, and successfully accomplished his mission. Throughout the entire operation Colonel Wallace remained forward with the front line troops to give them courage and direction. His fine strategy and personal courage in the face of enemy fire throughout this operation are worthy of the highest commendation. Colonel Wallace's efficient and heroic personal conduct against a determined and numerically superior enemy reflects great credit upon himself and is in keeping with the highest traditions of the Military Service. Hometown: Palma Sola Park, Florida.
Note: GO #91amended GO #67 to read 'Bronze Oak-Leaf Cluster is awarded'.
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G.O. No. 78, Hq. 8th Armd. Div., 31 July, 1945, Page 2 - Award of Silver Star
Williams, Kenneth V.
Sergeant, U.S. Army
741st Tank Battalion, Attached, 8th Armored Division
Date of Action: June 6, 1944
Citation:
The Silver Star is presented to Kenneth V. Williams (16025149), Sergeant, U.S. Army, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving with the 741st Tank Battalion, 6th Armored Division, in support of the 1st Infantry Division, at Normandy, France, on 6 June 1944. Hometown: Illinois.
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G.O. No. 97, Hq. 8th Armd. Div., 10 September, 1945, Page 1 - Award of Silver Star - Posthumous
Mosbacher, Stephen H.
Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army
Combat Command B, 8th Armored Division
Date of Action: April 2, 1945
Citation:
The Silver Star is presented to Stephen H. Mosbacher (35554027), Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving with Combat Command "B", 8th Armored Division, in Germany on 2 April 1945. Sergeant Mosbacher advanced to within ten yards of enemy infantry elements to effect the rescue of a comrade, pinned down by enemy fire. The rescue was accomplished in the face of direct fire from artillery, mortars and small arms. Sergeant Mosbacher was fatally wounded a few minutes later while attempting the rescue of a wounded soldier, directly in the path of an enemy tank. His gallantry beyond the call of duty reflects great credit on himself and the Armed Forces of the United States. Hometown: Lucas County, Ohio.
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