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Harris, Burton L.

Date of birth:
April 30th, 1918
Date of death:
September 30th, 1944 (The Netherlands)
Service number:
36104804
Nationality:
American (1776 - present, Republic)

Biography

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Staff Sergeant
Unit:
Company G, 3rd Battalion, 401st Glider Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division "All American", U.S. Army
Awarded on:
November 30th, 1944
Awarded for:
Operation Market Garden
"For gallantry in action on 30 September 1944 near ****, Holland. While the company was advancing over a ridge covered by small arms fire from well concealed positions, two enemy machine guns opened fire at close range and halted the company's forward progress. Staff Sergeant Harris, Squad Leader, Company G, 3d Battalion, 401st Glider Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, without hesitation or regard for his own personal safety, rushed the machine gun emplacement nearest him, fired a Thompson Sub-Machine Gun into the position at point-blank range and knocked it out. As he was moving against the other machine gun, fire from a nearby sniper wounded him. Staff Sergeant Harris' gallant action and fearless aggressiveness greatly aided the company by disclosing enemy positions and drawing fire away so the rest of the men could deploy and successfully continue the attack. His actions reflect great credit upon his unit and the fighting service he represents."

Headquarters, 82d Airborne Division, General Orders No. 61. Posthumously awarded
Silver Star Medal (SSM)

Royal decree no.31. Posthumously awarded.

Sources

Photo