 T-Sgt. Santos A. Sandoval |
The Blood and Mud in the Philippines, Section 8.1
Fortunately, by the time the reinforcements rushed to the scene, the enemy tanks had just withdrawn after rampaging around to their satisfaction. In this battle, First Lieutenant Sugahara fought against a tank at close quarters and was killed in action. A direct hit of the tank’s machine gun blasted off his upper body.
The Blood and Mud in the Philippines, Section 8.1
G.O. No. 53, Hq 40th Inf Div, APO 40, 9 April 45.
I. AWARDS OF THE SILVER STAR:
By direction of the President, under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved 9 July 1918 (Bulletin 43, WD, 1918), a Silver Star is awarded by the Commanding General, 40th Infantry Division, to the following named enlisted man and officer:
Private First Class ROBERT J. POIRIER, 31398325, Medical Department, United States Army. For gallantry in action near Iloilo, Panay, P.I., on 19 March 1945. Private First Class Poirier was attached as aid man to the company which captured a vital bridge. Shortly after the capture of the bridge, the enemy made an attack, and as litter bearer, Private First Class Poirier crossed the bridge under intense accurate enemy rifle, knee-mortar, machine gun, and 90mm mortar fire several times to evacuate wounded. Despite the fact that several men, including one litter bearer, were wounded while attempting to cross the bridge, Private First Class Poirier volunteered to evacuate wounded every time a casualty was reported. His utter disregard of his own safety and devotion to duty made it necessary for his Commanding Officer to order Private First Class Poirier to take cover and wait until the litter squad could cross under cover of an advancing tank. The splendid courage displayed by Private First Class Poirier was an example and inspiration to all man present. Home address: Mr. Archie Poirier (father), 51 Sprice Street, Rumford, Maine.
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https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/127355842/robert-j-poirier
First Lieutenant EDGAR S. THOMPSON, 01312605, Infantry, United States Army. For gallantry in action near Iloilo, Panay, P.I., on 19 March 1945. A platoon led by First Lieutenant Thompson seized a vital bridge and severed both approaches. Shortly afterwards the enemy attacked the bridge employing small arms, machine guns, knee-mortar, and 90mm mortars. The attack continued for approximately ten hours during which time the leadership and exemplary courage displayed by First Lieutenant Thompson enabled his small force to defend this vital bridge. Despite the fact that several men had been wounded while attempting to cross the bridge, First Lieutenant Thompson, with utter disregard for his own safety, crossed the bridge under intense rifle, machine gun, and mortar fire five times carrying wounded to the opposite end of the bridge. His coolness and bravery was an inspiration to all present, and reflect the highest credit on the Army of the United States. Home address: Mrs. Lillian Thompson (mother), 1425 "L" Street, Lincoln, Nebraska.
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https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/128902794/edgar-s-thompson
BY COMMAND OF MAJOR GENERAL BRUSH:
GEORGE W. LATIMER,
Colonel, GSC,
Chief of Staff.
G.O. No. 52, Hq 40th Inf Div, APO 40, 8 April 45.
I. AWARD OF THE SILVER STAR (POSTHUMOUS):
By direction of the President, under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved 9 July 1918 (Bulletin 43, WD, 1918), a Silver Star is awarded posthumously by the Commanding General, 40th Infantry Division, to the following named enlisted man:
Private First Class ELLIS RUCKER, 36554006, Infantry, United States Army. For gallantry in action near Iloilo, Panay, P.I., on 19 March 1945. Private First Class Rucker volunteered to guard and assist another soldier in the disarming of mines and bombs on a bridge. With full knowledge of the danger of the enemy detonating the mines and bombs, and despite intense enemy rifle, machine gun, and mortar fire, Private First Class Rucker remained at his post on the bridge. His action, without regard for his personal safety, materially assisted in the disarming of the explosives. Later, while defending the bridgehead, Private First Class Rucker was killed when he disdained to take cover in order to better perform his duty. Next of kin: Mrs. Ellis Rucker (wife), 902 West Warren Ave., Detroit, Michigan.
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https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56773917/ellis-rucker
BY COMMAND OF MAJOR GENERAL BRUSH:
GEORGE W. LATIMER,
Colonel, GSC,
Chief of Staff.
G.O. No. 50, Hq 40th Inf Div, APO 40, 7 April 45.
III. CORRECTION OF GENERAL ORDERS NUMBER:
(no action taken, no duplicate found)
The number of General Orders No. 45, this Headquarters, dated 27 March 1945, which pertains to the announcement of Headquarters Panay Island Command, is corrected to "General Orders No. 51".
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BY COMMAND OF MAJOR GENERAL BRUSH:
GEORGE W. LATIMER,
Colonel, GSC,
Chief of Staff.
G.O. No. 47, Hq 40th Inf Div, APO 40, 2 April 45.
AWARD OF THE SILVER STAR
By direction of the President, under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved 9 July 1918 (Bull 43, WD, 1918), a Silver Star is awarded by the Commanding General, 40th Infantry Division, to the following named officer:
Brigadier General ROBERT O. SHOE, 0-8119, United States Army. For gallantry in action on Luzon and Panay, P.I., from 9 January 1945 to 2 March 1945, and from 18 March 1945 to 28 March 1945, respectively. During these periods, General Shoe displayed extraordinary courage and outstanding leadership against the enemy in his capacity as Assistant Division Commander. Without regard for his personal safety, he repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire by accompanying and remaining with forward infantry elements in order to determine definitely the type and location of resistance encountered and to supervise infantry operations. During the advance on and capture of Tarlac, Bamban, and Iloilo, he entered all cities with leading units over roads and bridges exposed to enemy fire and protected by enemy mines. General Shoe's continuous presence with forward elements of the division, his accompanying advancing units through mined areas, and his determination to push forward in spite of enemy resistance and danger to himself, were a great inspiration to the officers and men of the command and contributed immeasurably to the successful conclusion of the operations. Home address: Mrs. Adeline B. Shoe (wife), 3019 Daisy Avenue, Long Beach, California.
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https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/49314052/robert-oliver-shoe
BY COMMAND OF MAJOR GENERAL BRUSH:
GEORGE W. LATIMER,
Colonel, GSC,
Chief of Staff.
G.O. No. 45, Hq 40th Inf Div, APO 40, 1 April 45.
I. AWARD OF THE SILVER STAR (POSTHUMOUS):
By direction of the President, under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved 9 July 1918 (Bulletin 43, WD, 1918), a Silver Star is awarded posthumously by the Commanding General, 40th Infantry Division, to the following named enlisted man:
Private First Class FRED NIELSEN, 39049976, Infantry, United States Army. For gallantry in action near Iloilo, Panay, P.I., on 19 March 1945. Private First Class Nielsen, member of a mine detecting team, volunteered as a litter bearer and twice crossed a long bridge to evacuate wounded. Without regard for his personal safety and under intense enemy fire he successfuly brought back two of the wounded men. On his third trip he fell fatally wounded from enemy machine gun fire. Private First Class Nielsen's courage and outstanding devotion to duty reflect the highest credit on the military service. Next of kin: Mrs. Fred Nielsen (wife), 1717 South Charles Street, Alameda, California.
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https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/3614926/fred-nielsen
II. AWARD OF THE SILVER STAR:
By direction of the President, under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved 9 July 1918 (Bull 43, WD, 1918), a Silver Star is awarded by the Commanding General, 40th Infantry Division, to the following named enlisted men and officer:
Private First Class FRED B. CHILDERS, 35439561, Infantry, United States Army. For gallantry in action near Iloilo, Panay, P.I., on 19 March 1945. Under intense enemy rifle and machine gun fire, Private First Class Childers volunteered to cross a bridge to evacuate wounded. Despite the fact that several men were wounded while attempting to cross, Private First Class Childers made the trip four times bringing back the wounded men to safety. Although enemy fire continued to spray the bridge, he refused to stop until the job was completed. His outstanding devotion to duty was an inspiration to all and reflects high credit on the military service. Home address: Mrs. R. D. Childers (mother), Mayking, Kentucky.
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https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/95288383/fred_glenn-beauford-childers
Technical Sergeant SANTOS A. SANDOVAL, 20912005, Infantry, United States Army. For gallantry in action near Iloilo, Panay, P.I., on 19 March 1945. Technical Sergeant Sandoval, under intense enemy fire and with utter disregard for his own safety, cut or disconnected many wires on a bridge, which were connected to electric detonator mines and bombs placed on the bridge. With full knowledge that the wires ran to occupied enemy positions south of the bridge, and that the mines and bombs might be detonated at any minute, Technical Sergeant Sandoval continued his work. His action saved the bridge for use of the United States Army. Home address: Mr. N. P. Sandoval (father), 133 E. Mable Avenue, Fullerton, California.
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https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/72641566/santos-sandoval
Private First Class ALBERT W. TURBIVILLE, 37031631, Infantry, United States Army. For gallantry in action near Iloilo, Panay, P.I., on 19 March 1945. Although wounded early in an engagement, Private First Class Turbiville refused to leave his post at a bridge, and insisted on taking part in the ensuing combat. Upon observing one man of his platoon fall wounded in an area exposed to intense enemy fire, Private First Class Turbiville immediately left cover and despite his wound and continued heavy enemy fire, carried the wounded man to a covered position. Home address: Mr. Albert H. Turbiville (father), Camp Crook, South Dakota.
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https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/13710453/albert-walter-turbiville
III. AWARD OF THE BRONZE STAR MEDAL:
By direction of the President, under the provisions of Executive Order No. 9419, 4 February 1944 (Sec II, Bull 3, WD, 1944) a Bronze Star Medal is awarded by the Commanding General, 40th Infantry Division, to the following named enlisted men and officers:
Private First Class JAMES O CALLICOAT, 35437266, Infantry, United States Army. For heroic achievement in connection with military operations against the enemy near Iloilo, Panay, P.I., on 19 March 1945. Under intense enemy automatic weapon fire, Private First Class Callicoat volunteered to aid in the evacuation of casualties from the enemy held side of a river. With utter disregard for his own personal safety and in the face of enemy fire he crossed the bridge and succeeded in evacuating one of the wounded. Crossing the second time, he was wounded by enemy machine gun fire. His courage was an inspiration to all who witnessed his actions. Home address: Mrs. Lucy Callicoat (mother), Creasy Ridge, Ohio.
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https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/135230119/james-orlyn-callicoat
Major WILLIAM J. CLOUGH, 0418533, Corps of Engineers, United States Army. For heroic achievement in connection with military operations against the enemy near Iloilo, Panay, P.I., on 19 March 1945. Major Clough exposed himself to enemy rifle, machine gun, and mortar fire to disarm mines on a bridge, and later carried a wounded man across the bridge to the aid station. His devotion to duty reflects credit upon the Army of the United States. Home address: Mrs. William J. Clough (wife), 527 Buena Vista, Redlands, California.
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Staff Sergeant LAWRENCE S. CROW, 35315112, Corps of Engineers, United States Army. For heroic achievement in connection with military operations against the enemy near Iloilo, Panay, P.I., on 19 March 1945. Staff Sergeant Crow, without regard for his safety, courageously exposed himself to intense enemy rifle, machine gun, and mortar fire by swimming the rapid currents of a river to aid a messenger who had become exhausted. His courage under enemy fire reflects high credit upon the military service. Home address: Mrs. Celia Davis (sister), Rural Route 2, Cortland, Ohio.
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https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/93913634/lawrence-sherman-crow
IV. AWARD OF THE BRONZE STAR MEDAL (OAK-LEAF CLUSTER)
By direction of the President, in addition to the Bronze Star Medal awarded to Captain JAMES M. HOFFMANN, by the Commanding General, 40th Infantry Division, as published on page 1, Section I, General Orders No. 16, 1945, a Bronze Oak-Leaf Cluster is awarded to him by the Commanding General, 40th Infantry Division, under the provisions of Executive Order No. 9419, 4 February 1944 (Sec II, Bull 3, WD, 1944). The citation is as follows:
Captain JAMES M. HOFFMANN, 0380064, Corps of Engineers, United States Army. For heroic achievement in connection with military operations against the enemy near Iloilo, Panay, P.I., on 19 March 1945. Captain Hoffmann exposed himself to intense enemy rifle, machine gun, and mortar fire to disarm mines on a bridge, and later swam to the rescue of a messenger who became exhausted in the rapid currents of a river. His courage reflects high credit on the Army of the United States. Home address: Mrs. James M. Hoffmann (wife), 4101 N. Kilbourn Ave., Chicago, Illinois.
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https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/186453801/james-marshall-hoffmann
BY COMMAND OF MAJOR GENERAL BRUSH:
GEORGE W. LATIMER,
Colonel, GSC,
Chief of Staff.
