Duane A. Dennison BSM

(Citation worksheet
courtesy of Rex Combs collection)

(Order award set courtesy of Zig Boroughs collection)

SGT DUANE A. DENNISON - BRONZE STAR MEDAL RECOMMENDATION

HEADQUARTERS; 508TH PARACHUTE INFANTRY APO 230, U.S. ARMY
CITATION WORK SHEET
a.	Duane A. Dennison, 15533054, Sgt. Inf, U.S. Army
b.	For heroic conduct
c.	30 Oct 1944 d. 2 mi from Bemmel, Holland
e.	Sgt Dennison, Sgt, Co. "A" 508 Prcht. Inf.
f.	Pvt Dennison, acting squad leader, fought his way out to an outpost in which two of his men was being attacked by several enemy troops who were armed with rifles and automatic weapons. The enemy was also placing intensive mortar fire on the outpost position in an effort to reduce it. Sgt Dennison advanced through all this fire and led his men to safety.
g.	The two men on the outpost was attacked while waiting for a British unit to relieve them. Under heavy covering fire a German patrol had reached a position about eight yards from the outpost, and was attempting to encircle it.
h.	Pvt Dennison realizing his men were being attacked by a vastly superior number of enemy troops and having no communications with them, because of severed telephone lines, due to mortar bursts, fought his way intro the outpost, and brought his men out safely. Pvt Dennison was the last man to leave the outpost and armed with only a rifle held off the enemy until his men had reached safety before he followed them. He then led the relieving unit into position in the outpost.
i.
j.	Pvt Dennison's courageous action with thought of personal safety, was responsible for driving off the enemy patrol, and getting his men to safety. His display of courage was reflected by the the confidence of his men in him.
k.	Salem, W. Va.
	LEGEND	a. Name, Rank, ASN b. Award Phrase c. When? d. Where?	e. Position, Unit & Orgn f. What? g. Why? h. How?	i.. Status? j. Result? k. Hometown?
	NOTE: Addenda were added: "Time of act. T/4, now Sgt" CONCLUSION: Sgt Dennison received the Bronze Star Medal based on this recommendation. Note how the headquarters personnel reduced the recommendation to a single condensed paragraph in the citation below.

SGT DUANE A. DENNISON - BRONZE STAR MEDAL AWARD

RESTRICTED

HEADQUARTERS 82D AIRBORNE DIVISION
Office of the Division Commander

A.P.O. 469, U. S, Army,
18 Jan 1945.

GENERAL ORDERS }

NUMBER -— 92 EXTRACT )

AWARD OF THE SILVER STAR MEDAL

Under the provisions of AR 600-45, as amended, and pursuant to authority contained in letter 200.6 (AG) Headquarters XVIII Corps Airborne, dated 31 August 1944, the following named individuals are awarded the Bronze Star Medal:

DUANE A. DENNISON, 15537065 Sergeant, 508th Parachute Infantry, For heroic conduct in action on 30 October, 1944 near ***, HOLLAND. Sergeant DENNISON, Acting Squad Leader, Company "A", was responsible for the rescue of two of his men who were ambushed on an outpost under heavy covering fire, a German patrol approached the outpost and was encircling it. Sergeant DENNISON fought his way to his men brought them back safely and was the last to leave. Armed with a rifle he held off the enemy until his men had reached safety. Sergeant DENNISON then led another group in an attack which succeeded in retaking the outpost. His courage contributed highly to the defense of his company's position. Entered service from SALEM, WEST VIRGINIA.