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HEADQUARTERS 82D AIRBORNE DIVISION
OFFICE OF THE DIVISION COMMANDER
APO 469, U.S. ARMY
115 January 1945
GENERAL ORDERS
NUMBER 17:
SECTION V - AWARD OF THE BRONZE STAR MEDAL FOR HEROIC
CONDUCT (Extract)
WILLIAM F. KNAPP,
16148795, Staff Sergeant, 508th Parachute Infantry. For heroic conduct in
action on 3 January 1945 near ***, BELGIUM. Staff Sergeant KNAPP
- Platoon Sergeant- just prior to a Division attack, was instrumental in
extinguishing a fire in the ammunition dump of Company "B", 508th Parachute
Infantry, which had been caused by enemy artillery. Staff Sergeant KNAPP,
with three other men, voluntarily crawled through heavy artillery fire, with
utter disregard for his own personal safety, to extinguish the blaze which
threatened the ammunition dump. Though exposed to artillery fire
and exploding small arms ammunition from burning ammunition cases,
Staff Sergeant KNAPP and his companions succeeded in rapidly extinguishing
the fire before too much damage could be caused. Staff Sergeant KNAPP's
actions were of vital importance to his company, since the possibility of a
counterattack was imminent. Staff Sergeant KNAPP's heroic action reflects
great credit upon himself and on the Airborne Forces of the United States
Army. Entered military service from LANSING, MICHIGAN. |
