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HEADQUARTERS 82D AIRBORNE DIVISION
OFFICE OF THE DIVISION COMMANDER
APO 468, U.S. ARMY
General Order No. 22
Section II. AWARD OF THE SILVER STAR MEDAL, POSTHUMOUS:
Under the provisions of AR 600-45, as amended, and pursuant to authority
contained in letter 200.6 (AG) Headquarters XVIII Corps Airborne, dated
31 August 1944, and Circular No. 2 Headquarters First United States
Army, dated 4 August 1945, The Silver Star is awarded to the following
named individuals posthumously:
WALTER FIRESTINE, 20330337, Corporal, 508th Parachute Infantry. For
Gallantry in action on 24 December 1944 in the vicinity of ***, Belgium.
Corporal FIRESTINE, Assistant Squad Leader, Company "A", was in charge
of a section of LMG's, which formed the base of fire for a counterattack
his company launched to retake a bridgehead. He covered the approaches
while his platoon (d?)ashed forward. When he moved his gun bearer to
the bridge to cover a further advance of the assault force, his crew
became casualties and the tripod for the gun was lost. Without hesitation,
Corporal FIRESTINE picked up the gun and continued firing the machine
gun from his hip. Upon reaching the bridge he fired from a prone position
with no tripod, holding the hot barrel with his left hand although it
seared his palm, but he did not allow this to interfere with his fire.
His gallant actions assured the success of the counterattack and reflects
great credit upon himself and the Airborne Forces of the United States
Army. Entered military service from PENNSYLVANIA.
NOTE: Cpl FIRESTINE was killed in action seven
days after the incident detailed above and never learned that he had
been given this award. Two different accounts indicate that
his death was due to shellfire landing nearby on 31 December 1944.
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