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Nitschke, Matthies "Slick"

Date of birth:
September 10th, 1919 (Ashley/North Dakota, United States)
Nationality:
American (1776 - present, Republic)

Biography

Service number 37 029 409.
Matt Nitschke joined the army as enlisted on 20th May 1941 in Fort Snelling, Minnisota. He took part in the battles at New Guinea and Luzon. On 30th November 1945 he left the army with honorable discharge.

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Sergeant
Unit:
Squad Leader 20th Infantry Regiment, 6th Infantry Division "Sight Seein' Sixth", U.S. Army
Awarded on:
September 23rd, 1945
Citation:
"The infantry company of which Sergeant Nitschke is a member was engaged in combat with the enemy employing tanks at Munoz, Luzon, Philippine Islands on 6 February 1945. Sergeant Nitschke, an assistent squad leader, led his squad in an attack against an enemy tank which was giving his copany considerable trouble. As he and his squad moved forward, the tank placed an intense volume of machine gun fire upon them and pinned them down. Sergeant Nitschke, while under this intense machine gun fire, crawled over open terrain to within ten yards of the enemy tank. He fired rifle grenades at the tank until it was set afire. He remained at his position and killed three of the enemy as they emerged from the burning tank. Sergeant Nitschke's courageous action was of the greatest importance in the subsequent elimination of an enemy strongpoint."

Published in the General Orders 199, APO 6.
Silver Star Medal (SSM)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)

With bronze arrowhead for amphibic landing.
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)

With bronze star.
Philippines Liberation Medal
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)

With M1 Rifle hanger.
Expert Badge

Sources

  • Photo 1: Darrell Nitschke
  • - Family Records Darrell Nitschke
    - General Orcers Number 199, APO 6
    - Enlisted Record and Report of Separation Honorable Discharge

Photo