Home
What's New
Search Engine
Archives
Odyssey
Photo Gallery
Unit History
Unit Honors
TAPS
Voices Of Past
Association
How To Submit

 

AWARD OF THE SILVER STAR MEDAL TO 
SGT WILLIAM H. TRABAND
For Gallantry In Action 29 January 1945

HEADQUARTERS 82D AIRBORNE DIVISION
OFFICE OF THE DIVISION COMMANDER

APO 469, U.S. ARMY
17 March 1945

General Order 34 [Extract]:
SUBJECT: Award of the Silver Star Medal.

TO : Sergeant William H. Traband, 20309891, Sergeant, 508th Parachute Infantry

Under the provisions of AR 6 00-45 .as amended, and pursuant to authority contained in Circular No. 32, Headquarters ETOUSA, dated 20 March 1944, and Circular No. 66, Headquarters First United States Army, dated 18 May 1944, the Silver Star Medal is awarded to the following individual:

CITATION:

"For gallantry in action on 29 January 1945, at ******, BELGIUM, Sergeant TRABAND, Platoon Sergeant, Company "C", 508th Parachute Infantry, was a member of a platoon which was held up in their attack by an enemy strong point at ******, BELGIUM.  This strong point consisted of two houses which the enemy was defending with a large number of automatic weapons with a 75mm gun in support.  Sergeant TRABAND, with two other men, volunteered to assault the position from the flank.  The group only had thirty rounds of TSMG ammunition  apiece, five clips of BAR ammunition, and a few grenades.  They attacked the gun first and killed the tank commander.  This demoralized the other crew members who ceased firing and fled.  While Sergeant TRABAND's two comrades laid down a base of fire, Sergeant TRABAND assaulted the houses with grenades.  The assault was successful and a total of forty-one prisoners were captured as a result of this action, thus permitting Company "C" to take the remainder of the village.  The actions of this group  were responsible for the success of the attack and the capture of ******.  Sergeant TRABAND's gallant action reflects great credit upon himself and upon the Airborne Forces of the United States Army.  Entered military service from CLIFTON HEIGHTS, PENNSYLVANIA.,
 

Copyright and all other rights reserved by the Family and Friends of The 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment Association or by those who are otherwise cited,
For problems or questions regarding this web site, please contact
Jumpmaster.