Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Captain

Unit:

387th Field Artillery Battalion, 104th Infantry Division "Timberwolf", U.S. Army (387th Field Artillery Battalion, 104th Infantry Division "Timberwolf Division", U.S. Army)

Award, Posthumous, of Distinguished Service Cross. Under the provisions of AR 600-45, 22 September 1943, as amanded, and pursuant to authority contained in paragraph 3c, Section I, Circular No. 32, Headquarters European Theater of Operations, United States Army, 20 March 1944, as amended, the Distinguished Service Cross is posthumously awarded to the following officer: Captain William C. Felkins, Jr. (01167832), 387th Field Artillery Battalion, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action against the enemy on 31 October and 1 November 1944, in Standaardbuiten, Noord Braband, Holland.

Captain Felkins displaying great personal courage, voluntarily led a patrol across a river and into dangerous enemy territory to drive off hostile troops and tanks which had taken a heavy toll of an isolated infantry battalion. He personally adjusted a devastating artillery concentration upon the enemy positions which killed many Germans and forced the withdrawal of several tanks. As the artillery fire lifted, Captain Felkins, with complete disregard for his own personal safety, advanced far ahead of the patrol while subjected to intense machine gun fire. As he prepared to lead a charge upon the enemy, he was fatally wounded. Captain Felkins' heroic actions resulted in the safe withdrawal of 120 men, many of whom were severely wounded, and enabled two companies to maintain their critical position until the main bridgehead was later established.

Entered military service from Alabama.

Awarded posthumously.

Headquarters, First U.S. Army, General Orders No. 100 (December 23, 1944).

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Captain

Unit:

387th Field Artillery Battalion, 104th Infantry Division "Timberwolf", U.S. Army