General Order 60
15 April 145
(courtesy Phil Nordyke)

HEADQUARTERS 82D AIRBORNE DIVISION
Office of the Division Commander

APO 469, U.S. ARMY
15 April 1945

GENERAL ORDERS)
NUMBER      60)

I - AWARD OF THE SILVER STAR MEDAL

     Under the provisions of AR 600-45, as amended, and pursuant to authority contained in letter 200.6 (A4), Headquarters XVIII Corps Airborne, dated 31 August 1944, the Silver Star Medal is awarded to the following individual:

     DAVID AXELROD, O418367, Captain, 4456th Parachute FA Battalion, for gallantry in action on 4 July 1944, at *****, France.  Captain AXELROD, then a Battalion Surgeon, 508th Parachute Infantry, distinguished himself in an exceptional manner in tithe evacuation of wounded during an attack.  The battalion advanced under heavy fire, which caused numerous casualties.  They were pinned down by artillery, mortar and small arms fire300 yards from their objective.  Captain AXELROD risked his life continually in order to evacuate the wounded.  With complete disregard for his own welfare, he braved heavy fire in order to remove and treat those wounded.  Men were killed and wounded by his side as he accomplished his tasks.  He shielded the wounded with his own body when artillery fire landed nearby, and with superb coolness administered blood plasma amidst the falling shells and machinegun fire.  By his heroism and disregard for his own personal safety, he succeeded in evacuating over 58 casualties.  His actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Medical Service and the United States Army.  Entered military service from CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.