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R E S T R I C T E D
HEADQUARTERS XVIII CORPS (AIRBORNE)
APO 2109, United States Army
CITATION FOR THE
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS
Corporal Ernest T. Roberts,
18199335, 508th Parachute Infantry, United States Army, for extraordinary
heroism in action against the enemy on 6 June 1944, in France. After landing
by parachute before dawn on D-Day and joining a composite group which
proceeded to carry out a battalion mission, Corporal Roberts and two
comrades served as an outpost in a building on the edge of Guetteville. When
a battalion of German infantry, reinforced by tanks, approached from the
west and placed machine guns and mortars in position, those three valiant
men immediately opened fire on the enemy. Ordered to leave the post, they
determined to hold out until the 30 men in the town had withdrawn. Corporal
Roberts assisted in holding the hostile force at bay for two hours, killing
15 Germans and wounding many others. His voluntary and courageous action
delayed the enemy sufficiently to permit the main body of parachute troops
to establish defensive positions to the east from which they were able to
deny overwhelming German forces the opportunity of crossing the Merderet
River. Corporal Roberts' superb heroism and unselfish devotion to duty
exemplifies the highest traditions of the United States Army. Entered
service from Texas.
M . B. RIDGWAY
Major
General, U.S. Army
Commanding
R E S T R I C T E D
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