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CITATION: GO 34 17 March 1945 (pages 6 and 7)
THOMAS M. DOBBS, 14161911, Corporal, 508th Parachute
Infantry. For gallantry in action on 27 September 1944, near ******, HOLLAND.
During the defense of the ****** Bridgehead in HOLLAND, the patrolling
action of frontline troops played an important part in securing the
bridgehead from enemy troops. Corporal DOBBS, Acting Squad Leader,
Company "A", 508th Parachute Infantry, volunteered for numerous patrols
conducted against the enemy during the period that his battalion was on
line. On 27 September 1944, near ******, HOLLAND, Corporal DOBBS had
volunteered for a patrol whose mission was to lay AT mines on a road behind
German lines that was used as a supply route for front line enemy troops.
Corporal DOBBS, exercising great caution moved his patrol through the enemy
lines and began laying in mines. During the process of laying the
mines, his patrol was discovered by the enemy and a heavy artillery
concentration killed two and wounded several of his men. At this
critical stage, control of his men was imperative. Corporal DOBBS, by
his superior leadership ability and by his movements through the artillery
barrage from one man to
the next, gained control of his
men, quieted them down, and had them complete the mission they were assigned
to do. The group completed laying the mines in the prone position and
upon returning to the MLR,
Corporal DOBBS could not contact medical aid to return after his
wounded men. He quickly organized a volunteer group of four men, moved
back across the field where artillery fire was still falling, found three
seriously wounded men and moved them back to evacuation channels.
During this entire action, Corporal DOBBS was admired by his men for his
gallant manner of performance in carrying out his mission under very
hazardous and confused circumstances and displaying utter disregard for his
own personal safety in considering the safety of his men above his own.
Entered service from
TENNESSEE..
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