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AWARD OF THE SILVER STAR
TO 1str Lt WOODROW W. MILLSAPS
For Gallantry In Action 17-22 September 1944 |
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GO No 60 Hq 82d AB Div APO 469 U A Army 30 Nov '44 |
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WOODROW W. MILLSAPS, O-1303923, First Lieutenant, 508th Parachute
Infantry. For gallantry in action from 17 September 1944 to 22 September
1944 in the city of *** HOLLAND and with 5 miles of ***. First
Lieutenant MILLSAPS, Commanding Officer, Company "B", 508th Parachute
Infantry, led his company with exemplary courage and intrepidity during
three separate engagement with a numerically superior enemy. On 17
September 1944 the First Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry, attacked
the town of *** with two companies. The battalion reached a point
within the city where strong enemy resistance was encountered.
Control with the lead company was momentarily lost. First
Lieutenant MILLSAPS retained control within his company, keeping his
unit intact by means of personal contact with his platoon leaders, and
led his company forward, seizing an important intermediate objective.
His action enabled the lead company to reorganize and establish contact
with the battalion commander. Throughout the night, First
Lieutenant MILLSAPS travelled about in the darkness of the fire-swept
town, retaining control of his company and coordinating the defense of
his platoons. On 18 September, when the First Battalion attacked
to clear a landing zone for glider landings after this LZ had been
overrun by the Germans, he conducted his company in such a swift,
aggressive attack that the company objective was promptly seized.
Four 20mm antiaircraft guns were destroyed and 60 Germans were captured.
While conducting the defense of an isolated roadblock at ***, Germany on
20 September, 1944, First Lieutenant MILLSAPS, who had only two
platoons, one being detached, beat off continuous attacks by an enemy of
battalion strength, reinforced by artillery, for more than twenty-four
hours. The successful defense of this locality was mainly due to
outstanding leadership and supervision under fire by First Lieutenant
MILLSAPS. When friendly tanks moving in support of his company
position erroneously began firing into one of his ;platoon positions,
First Lieutenant MILLSAPS at great risk to himself, ran out in front of
the lead tank and caused the tanks to cease firing. The conduct of First
Lieutenant MILLSAPS in all engagements against the enemy have been such
as to inspire much confidence within his company. His devotion to
duty and personal bravery have contributed much to the successful
accomplishment of his company and battalion missions, and have rendered
a distinguished service in the finest traditions of the United States
Army. Entered service from NORTH CAROLINA. |
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