Derbas, Michael J.

Date of birth:: February 1st, 1911 (Clinton/Indiana, United States)
Date of death:: 1974
Nationality:: American

Biography

Michael J. Derbas married Joan on May 8th, 1948. The couple had a son, John.

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Silver Star Medal (SSM)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Private 1st Class
Unit:: Company G, 3rd Battalion, 339th Infantry Regiment, 85th Infantry Division "Custer Division", U.S. Army

Citation:
"His platoon had been held up in its assault upon the strongly defended enemy hill positions by hostile machine-gun fire. After locating the gun, Derbas, lead scout for his platoon, courageously moved through a minefield under cover of automatic rifle fire to a position from which he could attack the emplacement. Reaching a position within close range, he threw two hand grenades into the emplacement, killing two of the gun crew, capturing the third, and neutralizing the weapon. This fearless act, which eliminated a serious threat to the safety of his platoon, aided Company G in the advance to its objective."