CITATION: GO 61, 30 November 1944 (page 8)
WILLIAM J. GARRY, O-1298693, First Lieutenant, 508th Parachute Infantry.
For gallantry in action on 21 September 1944, at ***, HOLLAND.
First Lieutenant GARRY, Executive Officer, Company
"H", 508th Parachute Infantry, led a combat patrol from *** to *** on
the Dutch-German frontier. His mission was to determine the strength
of enemy forces known to be in positions around ***. The
patrol encountered strong German resistance in this vicinity, but fought
its way to withdraw his patrol. Determined counter attacks by
maneuvering groups attempted to block the withdrawal. At one point
the patrol was completely encircled, but First Lieutenant GARRY directed
a sudden thrust which broke through and the enemy gave pursuit.
First Lieutenant GARRY fell to the rear of his escaping group and covered
their withdrawal with a brisk rearguard action. He successfully
delayed the attacking enemy until the patrol had opportunity to move
away. He began to fall back continually engaging the Germans and
delaying their attacks. When it became evident that the patrol
would make good its escape, the enemy caused pursuit and concentrated
mortars in the area. By his determined effort First Lieutenant
GARRY was able to penetrate a well defended enemy strongpoint and secure
information which enabled us to plan out later attack upon ***.
His willingness to place himself between the enemy and his retiring
patrol was directly responsible for the safe return of his men.
In this final action, First Lieutenant GARRY was mortally wounded.
Entered military service from California.
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Hero's Widow to
Get Silver Star
Lf. William James Garry of the Eighty-second Airborne Division, who was killed during the invasion
of Holland last year will be awarded the Silver Star at a posthumous
presentation to his widow this afternoon at 4:45 on the Presidio parade ground.
Garry, whose widow, Nancy, lives at 1007 Dolores Street, received the Bronze Star during earlier combat.
Mrs. Garry will appear at the retreat ceremony with her 18 months old son, William Jr., whom the officer never saw.
[The San Francisco Examiner, San Francisco, CA, 29 Nov 1945, Thu, Page 8;
S.F. Hero's Widow
Gets Silver Star
Nancy J. Garry, widow of 1st Lt. William
J. Garry, yesterday received a Silver Star medal awarded her husband posthumously for heroism in the invasion of Holland September 20, 1944.
Also present at the retreat ceremony at the Presidio was 18 month old William J. Garry Jr.
The citation stated that Lieutenant Garry, while withdrawing his patrol after accomplishing its mission, almost single handedly fought a rear guard action which was directly responsible for the safe return of his men. [The San Francisco Examiner, San Francisco, CA,
30 Nov 1945, Fri, Page 13;
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