Zwingman, Otto K.

Date of birth:: July 21st, 1915 (Hamburg, Germany)
Date of death:: December 23rd, 1944 (Limburg an der Lahn/Hesse-Nassau Province, Germany)
Buried on:: Ardennes American Cemetery and Memorial
Plot: B. Row: 44. Grave: 52.
Service number:: 32815665
Nationality:: American

Biography

Private First Class Zwingman died in captivity according to National Archive records, in Stalag XII-A, Limburg an der Lahn/Hessen-Nassau, Prussia. Probably by an air raid near the POW camp Stalag XII-A Limburg an der Lahn.

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Distinguished Service Cross (DSC)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Private
Unit:: Company D, 2nd Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division "All American", U.S. Army
Awarded for:: Operation Overlord

Citation:
"For extraordinary heroism in action against the enemy on 6 June 1944, in France. After landing by parachute before dawn on D-Day and joining a composite group which proceeded to carry out a battalion mission, Private Zwingman and two comrades served as an outpost in a building on the edge of Guetteville. When a battalion of German infantry, reinforced by tanks, approached from the west and placed machine guns and mortars in position, those three valiant men immediately opened fire on the enemy. Ordered to leave the post, they determined to hold out until the 30 men in the town had withdrawn. Private Zwingman assisted in holding the hostile force at bay for two hours, killing 15 Germans and wounding many others. His voluntary and courageous action delayed the enemy sufficiently to permit the main body of parachute troops to establish defensive positions to the east from which they were able to deny overwhelming German forces the opportunity of crossing the Merderet River. Private Zwingman is missing as a result of this action. His superb heroism and unselfish devotion to duty exemplifies the highest traditions of the United States Army."