Laureled Sons of Dartmouth
Men Cited for Heroism and Meritorious Achievement
LIEUTENANT NORBERT B. HAMILTON '40, AUS, was killed in action August 15, 1944, while leading his infantrymen against a German machine gun nest in France. He was awarded the Silver Star Medal posthumously. His citation reads:
For gallantry in action on 15 August 1944 near France. While his company attacked enemy positions on a thickly wooded mountain, the assault platoons by-passed an enemy machine gunner and sniper. When the machine gunner opened fire on the company headquarters from close range, First Lieutenant Hamilton engaged the enemy machine gunner with his carbine and hand grenades, allowing the headquarters group time to take cover. While a support squad was being brought up, First Lieutenant Hamilton kept the enemy machine gunner pinned down with accurate carbine fire. He was killed by the sniper who protected the machine gun nest, but his courage in singlehandedly engaging the enemy machine gunner prevented the latter from inflicting further casualties on the company command group. First Lieutenant Hamilton's actions reflect the high traditions of the Army of the United States.
MAJOR WILLIAM T. BELL JR. '37, with the 14th Army Corps in southern Luzon, has been awarded an Oak Leaf Cluster to his Bronze Star Medal (see November '44) for his part in the battle for Luzon.
A supply officer, Major Bell "overcame numerous communication and transporta- tion difficulties and succeeded in placing vital supplies when and where they were needed," according to the citation.
GAPTAIN ALFRED J. DENSMORE JR. '44, USAAF, pilot of a B-17, has recently been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for "extraordinary achievement" while participating in many 8th Air Force bombing assaults against Nazi industrial installations deep in Germany and in coordination with American ground troops sweeping through the Reich. He also has received the Air Medal and four Oak Leaf Clusters. (See February and March 1945.)
LIEUTENANT CHARLES A. PAPPAS '44, USAAF, of Manchester, N. H., has been awarded the Silver Oak Leaf Cluster to the Air Medal for meritorious achievement on many combat missions to Germany and enemy-occupied Europe. Flying as a co-pilot of a B-24 Liberator, Lieutenant Pappas participated in 35 bombing missions on enemy targets. "The courage, coolness, and skill displayed by Lieutenant Pappas in the face of determined enemy opposition materially aided in the successful completion of these missions," reads the citation accompanying the award.
ACCORDING to an official release of the Carlsbad, N. M., Army Air Field, LIEUTENANT WILLIAM C. SCHUSTER JR. '46, USAAF, has returned from the ETO with 35 combat missions flying with the 8th Air Force. He has earned the Air Medal and three Oak Leaf Clusters (See February '45) and the Distinguished Flying Cross. His home is in Cranston, R. I.
MAJOR ROBERT L. MCMILLAN '23, USAAF, has been awarded the Bronze Star for meritorious achievement in support of combat operations as executive officer of a B-17 Flying Fortress squadron of the 99th Bombardment Group of the 15th Air Force. His unit is credited with destroying more enemy aircraft than any other heavy bombardment group in the Mediterranean Theatre and was twice awarded the Distinguished Unit Citation.
CAPTAIN LESTER M. NICHOLS '40, AUS, with the 10th Armored "Tiger" Division, has been awarded the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious achievement "in connection with military operations against an enemy of the United States on the Western Front."
Captain Nichols' latest adventure involved the capture of the famed German general staff officer, General Field Marshall Wilhelm List, in the winter sports center of Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
CAPTAIN THEODORE WILLARD HUFSTADER '45, USAAF, while serving as lead pilot on 25 missions over Europe, has added the Distinguished Flying Cross to his Air Medal and one Oak Leaf Cluster for "extraordinary achievement." (See November '44.)
The citation accompanying the award paid tribute to his "great courage and flying skill," stating that he materially aided in the successful completion of each mission. "His leadership has been an inspiring example for his fellow fliers," the citation added. "The courage, airmanship and exceptional flying ability .... on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon him and the armed forces of the United States."
STAFF SERGEANT JOHN A. GREEN LEAF '37, AUS, for meritorious service in connection- with military operations against the enemy from 3 February 1945 to 7 February 1945 in France was awarded the Bronze Star Medal. During the fierce attack of Company L against a stubbornly resisting enemy, the platoon leader became a casualty as a result of heavy enemy fire. Seizing the initiative, Staff Sergeant Greenleaf assumed command of his platoon which had become disorganized and fell to the rear of the company. His, exemplary conduct under fire and adept leadership of his men figured prominently in welding them into an aggressive fighting unit that was able to inflict many casualties among enemy troops. The following day he personally led his men in the continuation of the attack in courageous fashion.
Staff Sergeant Greenleaf also received the Purple Heart.
LIEUTENANT CHARLES H. SEWALL '35, A USNR, has received a Letter of Commendation from Vice Admiral J. H. Hoover, USN.
He was cited for his initiative, courage and devotion to duty: "For courageous actions during an enemy air attack at an air base in the Marianas Islands, during which time he voluntarily proceeded to the scene of a fire and initiated action which resulted in the removal of two planes to safety, and then, at great personal risk, assisted in extinguishing flames on a bomber before the main gasoline tanks became ignited."
STAFF SERGEANT BRADFORD L. JONES '46, USAAF, member of a B-26 Marauder crew, was recently awarded a Silver Cluster and three Oak Leaf Clusters to his Air Medal. He completed 48 bombing missions with the 9th Air Force over bridges, troop concentrations, communication centers and other tactical targets in Germany.
CAPTAIN ROBERT C. BROWER JR., '42, AUS, has been awarded the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service "in connection with military operations against the enemy of the United States from 28th March until May 8th, 1945."
He also wears five bronze battle stars on his ETO ribbon for having participated with the 83rd Infantry Division in its major campaigns from Normandy in June 1944 to the bridgehead established on the eastern bank of the Elbe River just southwest of Berlin where the 83rd Division was located at the cessation of hostilities in Europe on VE-Day.
MAJOR WILLIAM GERSTLEY II '32, USAAF, has received the Bronze Star Medal "for meritorious achievement in performance of services from April 26, 1944 to March 31, 1945 His untiring efforts and displayed ability constitute an invaluable personal contribution to the Allied war effort."
SECOND LIEUTENANT FRANK G. PICKELL JR. '37, AUS, has been serving in Italy with the all-Negro 96th Quartermaster Railhead Company of the sth Army. For notable achievements and superior performance of duty, the 96th Railhead Company was recently awarded the Meritorious Service Unit Plaque.
The briefest of notices have come to me concerning the following awards:
LIEUTENANT ROBERT K. HAGE '35, USNR, J has a Commendation from the Secretary of the Navy.
PRIVATE FIRST CLASS WINSLOW MARTIN '44, A US, on the invasion of Leyte received the Bronze Star Medal.
LIEUTENANT SAMUEL A. HIRD JR. '39, AUS, has been awarded the Croix de Guerre with gold star from General Juin, commandant of the Corps Expeditionaire Francais, for assistance given the French during the Italian campaign.
LIEUTENANT COLONEL JAMES C. AVERILL '35, USAAF, has won the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, flying with the 14th Air Force in China.
SERGEANT T/3 WALTER R. PRUDEN JR. '35, AUS, was awarded a citation and the Bronze Star at the capture of the fortress of Metz.
STAFF SERGEANT WILLIAM R. MACINTYRE '45, AUS, has been awarded the Bronze Star Medal for action against the enemy on April 3, 1945. He was wounded in action in Germany on April 17, 1945.
LIEUTENANT WILLIAM B. HIRONS '44, USAAF, after completing 400 hours in combat flying as navigator on a B-24, won the Air Medal with a "couple of Clusters" and the Distinguished Flying Cross. He flew in the China-Burma-India theater.
STAFF SERGEANT BERTRAM P. IBELLE '46, USAAF, as armorer-gunner on a B-17, with the 15th Air Force in Italy, has received the Air Medal and the Purple Heart.
FIRST LIEUTENANT CARLETON G. ELDRIDGE JR. '44, USMCR, was an aerial observer spotting naval and artillery fire on Iwo Jima and won the Distinguished Flying Cross and three Oak Leaf Clusters.
LIEUTENANT EDMUND F. WAKELIN '39, USNR, with a Motor Torpedo Squadron in the Pacific, has been awarded the Silver Star Medal.
STAFF SERGEANT JOHN M. ROBINSON '45, USAAF, tail gunner on a Liberator with the 8th Air Force, won the Air Medal and four Oak Leaf Clusters.
MASTER SERGEANT ROBERT E. ELKINS '39, AUS, of the Engineer Corps, has won the Croix de Guerre. Sergeant ElkinS is a member of . the 834 th Engineer Aviation Battalion which was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation for its work in building airfields on the Normandy beaches after D-Day.
FIRST LIEUTENANT THURSTON J. CARPENTER '45, AUS, working in the Medical Administration Corps in the Philippines, won the Silver Star Medal for bravery in action on May 7, 1945.
CAPTAIN PAUL T. TORIAN '42, USMCR, has won the Silver Star for bravery in action in the South Pacific Theater.
FIRST LIEUTENANT GEORGE E. THOMPSON '41, AUS, with the 117th Infantry Regiment, was awarded the Bronze Star for heroic achievement in action on 8 October 1944, in Germany. In the attack on Mariadorf, Lieutenant Thompson's company was subjected to a strong enemy counterattack supported by three tanks. In the close and savage fighting, he issued orders grouping the bulk of his company in strong defensive positions. Lieutenant Thompson fearlessly exposed himself to the intense enemy small arms and mortar fire in going from one leader to another to assure the halting of the penetration. All through this critical time his cool determination remained unshaken and, inspired by his example, his men held their lines despite the almost overwhelming odds.
MAJOR JAY E. TREMAINE '24, United States Army Medical Corps, has been officially listed as killed in action on September 7, 1944, aboard a freighter loaded with 750 prisoners of war, which was torpedoed, and sunk, with few survivors.
He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal the citation for which follows:
Major Jay E. Tremaine, for meritorious service in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United States: While at Davao he patiently and untiringly served American prisoners, who were constantly in need of medical assistance. On board a prison ship the men were crowded, starved and overheated but his cheerful attitude and optimism encouraged them and inspired them with the will to survive. When the ship was torpedoed Major Tremaine lost his life. The courageous services of Major Tremaine in the face of almost unbearable conditions were an invaluable contribution to the welfare of his comrades.
Survivors reported that Major Tremaine had been shot in the leg, and was last seen trying to push a dying soldier to shore on a plank. Before he reached shore the soldier died and the Major asked the men trying to help, to make shore the best way they could, without him.
TECHNICAL SERGEANT ROBERT P. MONTAGUE '45, USAAF, after completing 35 missions over Germany from England, presumably with the Bth Air Force, has been awarded the Air Medal and four Oak Leaf Clusters.
LIEUTENANT (JG) ROBERT JACKSON SMITH '36, USNR, was awarded the Bronze Star Medal "for distinguishing himself by meritorious conduct while serving on the staff of the commander of a fast carrier task group operating against the enemy in the western Pacific. His energy, skill and devotion to duty under protracted enemy air attacks were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the Naval Service."
At the time of his citation Lieutenant Smith was serving on the now famed aircraft carrier Franklin -which was Admiral Ralph E. Davison's flagship. From his battle station Lieutenant Smith said he saw acts of heroism performed by officers and men of the crew "that no number of words could accurately describe, only by witnessing them could one fully realize the extent of their bravery."
LIEUTENANT COLONEL LOUIS J. VAN ORDEN '23, AUS, has won the Bronze Star Medal, "for meritorious service in connection with military operations while assigned to G-4 Division from 1 July 1944 to 31 November 1944."
LIEUTENANT (JG) WILLIAM R. ROBINSON '43, USNR, has been presented with the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism and extraordinary achievement as a Navy fighter pilot in the October action off the Philippines. This is his second award as he received the Air Medal last November. Partial text of the citation follows:
When our escort carrier disposition was in imminent danger of destruction at the hands of an overwhelmingly superior enemy force consisting of battleships, heavy and light cruisers, and destroyers, he flew his fighter airplane in repeated strafing attacks against these enemy units in the face of extremely heavy anti-aircraft fire. Through his outstand- ing courage in pressing home these attacks he assisted materially in contributing to the enemy retreat and the repelling of the overpowering enemy attack.
HOLDER OF THREE AWARDS, the Air Medal, the Gold Star and the DFC, for daring forays against the Japs, Navy pilot, Lt. William A. Mason Jr. '39, has returned to the USA from duty in the Pacific.
BRONZE STAR MEDAL RECIPIENT Lt. George E. Thompson '41, AUS, is presented the award by Maj. Gen. Leland S. Hobbs, Commanding General, 30th Division, 9th Army, at Magdeburg, Germany.
