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CITATION: GO 64, 13 December 1944 (page 1)
HOWARD H. GOUGE, 34404169, Sergeant, 508th Parachute Infantry.
For gallantry in action on 3 July 1944, at ***, FRANCE.
Sergeant GOUGE's squad was attacked by a large
German patrol, covered in their advance by automatic weapons fire.
Sergeant GOUGE had in his squad six men and one heavy enemy machine
gun. In the opening of the fire fight, the machine gun was
knocked out and the two men on it were wounded by German
grenades. The Germans rushed his position in strength
and reached a point ten to fifteen yards in front of the position,
whereupon Sergeant GOUGE, oblivious to the fire, ran from one
position to the next, encouraging his men by both word and example,
and was himself wounded by grenade fragments. He refused medical
attention until after the fire fight, in which he personally crawled
forward under the covering fire of his men and knocked out one
machine fun and crew with grenades. Sergeant GOUGE's sheer
courage and aggressive action was not only an inspiration to his own
men but was directly responsible for holding the line, which was
used as the line of departure for HILL 131 that same morning.
Entered military service from Tampa, Florida.
NOTE: While it is not mentioned that this is
the second award of the Silver Star to Sgt Gouge, he was awarded one
earlier while still a Private under GO 44, dated 7 August 1944, for
Gallantry In Action on 6 June 1944.
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