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Walsh, William P. "Knobby"

Date of birth:
April 27th, 1918 (Westport/Wisconsin, United States)
Service number:
16007135
Nationality:
American (1776 - present, Republic)

Biography

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Staff Sergeant
Unit:
Company B, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division "All American", U.S. Army
Awarded on:
February 27th, 1945
Citation:
For extraordinary heroism against the enemy on 20 December 1944 in Cheneux, Belgium. When his platoon was pinned to the ground by heavy grazing fire, Staff Sergeant Walsh, though seriously wounded, rose to his feet and voluntarily led a charge upon an enemy held village. Advancing three hundred yards, he encountered devastating flanking fire from a 20mm flak wagon. Unable to pull the pin from a hand grenade because of a severe hand wound, he moved quickly to a comrade who armed the grenade. Returning to within ten feet of the weapon, he tossed the grenade into the vehicle, destroying the gun and annihilating the crew. Staff Sergeant Walsh's courage and personal bravery exemplified the highest traditions of the military service.
Distinguished Service Cross (DSC)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)

Bronze service star Sicilian Campaign
Bronze service star Rome-Arno Campaign 11/10/44
Bronze service star Italian Campaign
Bronze service star German Campaign 10/5/44
Bronze arrowhead 12/9/44
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
December 25th, 1943
Purple Heart
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
January 17th, 1945

As oak leaf cluster
Purple Heart

Sources

Photo