Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

1st Lieutenant

Unit:

Company F, 2nd Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division "All American", U.S. Army

Awarded for:

Operation Market Garden

Lloyd L. Polette, Jr., O-1309822, First Lieutenant, Infantry, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy on 17-18 September 1944, near Nijmegen, Holland. First Lieutenant Polette, platoon leader of Company F, 508th Parachute Infantry, by his courage and intrepidy, destroyed two enemy gun positions and led a determined assault upon an important bridge. On 17 September 1944, Lieutenant Polette led his platoon as advamce party of his battalion on the advance through the outskirts of Nijmegen to the battalion objective, southwest of the city. He destroyed a 20-millimeter antiaircraft gun, which was placing effective fire upon the column, by moving to a position near the gun and attacking the position with an explosive grenade. At another point along the battalion route of advance, two enemy machine guns threatened the column with heavy fire. He directed his platoon in the destruction of one gun while he destroyed the second with a bazooka and a phosphorous grenade. On 18 September 1944, he led his platoon in an attack upon a bridge near Nijmegen, an important bridge crossing the Maas-Waal Canal.When his platoon was pinned down by enemy automatic weapons fire, Lieutenant Polette remained in an exposed position where he could best observe the enemy and direct the fire of his platoon. Although his automatic weapons were knocked out by German mortars, he continued to press the attack. After a quick reorganization of his depleted platoon, he led a second spirited attack which seized the position. The conduct of Lieutenant Polette inspired much confidence within his platoon. His willingness to personally lead every assault, and his complete indifference to danger was responsible for the success of his platoon mission. His conduct reflects the finest traditions of the military service. Entered military service from Shreveport, Louisiana.

Headquarters, XVIII Airborne Corps, General Orders No. 14 (1944).
During the Battle for the Ardennes in the winter of 1944-1945, after having been promoted to company commander, he received this award from Lieutenant-general Lewis H. Brereton.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

2nd Lieutenant

Unit:

Company F, 2nd Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division "All American", U.S. Army

Citation unavailable.

Headquarters 82nd Airborne Division, General Orders No. 34 (1944).

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

2nd Lieutenant

Unit:

Company F, 2nd Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division "All American", U.S. Army

Citation unavailable.

This award was obtained in the form of an Oak Leaf to be attached on the ribbon of the first award.
Headquarters 82nd Airborne Division, General Orders No. 39 (1944).

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

2nd Lieutenant

Unit:

Company F, 2nd Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division "All American", U.S. Army

Citation unavailable.

Headquarters 82nd Airborne Division, General Orders No. 34 (1944).

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

2nd Lieutenant

Unit:

Company F, 2nd Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division "All American", U.S. Army

For wounds received in action on 4 July 1944 in the battle for Hill 95 near La Haye-du-Puits in Normandy, France.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

1st Lieutenant

Unit:

Company F, 2nd Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division "All American", U.S. Army

Killed In Action.

Posthumously awarded.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

1st Lieutenant

Unit:

Company F, 2nd Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division "All American", U.S. Army

Awarded on:

April 27th, 1945

Posthumously awarded.