Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Private First Class

Unit:

Company I, 413th Infantry Regiment, 104th Infantry Division "Timberwolf", U.S. Army

For extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against the enemy in Holland on 25 October 1944. On 25 October 1944 the platoon to which Private Tipton was assigned was advancing across flat, open terrain in the face of intense, accurate enemy fire from well prepared dug-in defensive positions in the sparse hedgerows and from points of vantage in the few surrounding buildings. Two squads were pinned down by grazing heavy machine gun, mortar, and small arms fire, and the first scout of Private Tipton's squad was killed. Private Tipton immediately assumed the duties of the first scout, and while leading the squad along a hedgerow to the enemy's flank under the heavy harassing fire, he saw an enemy machine gun. Halting the squad, he worked his way back to the automatic rifleman, obtained the automatic rifle, and moved toward the enemy machine gun nest. Courageously advancing to within six feet of the enemy position, he opened fire, shooting from the hip, killing the members of the machine gun crew and capturing the enemy weapon. Throughout the entire action visibility was good, and Private Tipton was subjected to direct, aimed fire from three enemy snipers. His spontaneous aggressiveness, bold tenacity, and bravery set an inspiring example for the men of his unit and facilitated the subsequent advance of his unit. Private Tipton's courageous actions, above and beyond the ordinary call of duty, were in keeping with the finest traditions of the armed forces of the United States.
Entered military service from Upper Lexington, Kentucky.


Headquarters, Ninth U.S. Army, General Orders No. 25 (1945).