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CITATION FOR THE
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS
Lt. Col. Louis G. Mendez, Jr., U.S.A.
By direction of the President, under the provisions of AK 600-45, 22
September 1943, as amended, the Distinguished Service Cross is awarded o
Lieutenant Colonel Louis G. Mendez, Jr. (Army Serial No. 023262), Infantry,
United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in combat during the period
******, while commanding a battalion of a parachute infantry
regiment. One instance of particular note was on ********* near ^ *********,
France when Lieutenant Colonel Mendez personally led an assault on the town
of ************ through a withering concentration of observed mortar, timed
artillery and machine gun cross-fire. In their first attempt to win their
objective, the two assault companies were pinned to the ground by a
devastating artillery barrage and suffered heavy casualties. Appreciating
the danger of delay, Lieutenant Colonel Mendez crawled into a position in
front of his men, leaped to his feet and led the charge which drove the
enemy out of the town. By his calm disregard for personal danger and his
ability to act quickly and aggressively under fire, he turned imminent
catastrophe into a victory. Lieutenant Colonel Mendez's courage, calmness,
judgment and devotion to duty were directly responsible for the achievement
of his battalion's objective and were in keeping with the highest traditions
of our armed forces. Entered military service from Colorado.
By command of General Eisenhower,
R.B. Lord, BG., GSC, Deputy Chief of Staff (8/8/44) |
