AWARD OF THE BRONZE STAR MEDAL WITH BRONZE "V" DEVICE

By direction of the President, under the provisions of Executive Order 9419, 4 February 1944, the Bronze Star Medal with Bronze "V" Device is awarded to Staff Sergeant Francis :L. Benedict, 20 930 297, by the Commanding General 82nd Airborne Division. The citation is as follows:

   "For heroic conduct in action against the enemy on 17 September 1944 near ***, Holland.  Staff Sergeant Benedict was assigned the mission to clear our DZ of equipment and to assist in the evacuation of men injured during the jump.  While engaged in the evacuation of injured, an enemy anti-aircraft brought accurate fire upon the detail and pinned the men to the ground.  While his men moved to cover, Staff Sergeant Benedict covered them by advancing upon the enemy gun installations.  Armed with a rifle and hand grenades, he crossed open ground to a position within rage of the enemy.  By this act Staff Sergeant Benedict assured the safe evacuation of our wounded and contributed directly to the destruction of one enemy gun and an undetermined number of enemy.

General Order 8, Headquarters 82nd Airborne Division, 15 January 1945