Bouck, Lyle Joseph, Jr.

Date of birth:: December 17th, 1923 (Fenton, Missouri, United States)
Date of death:: December 2nd, 2016
Nationality:: American

Biography

Lyle Bouck was a member of the I&R Platoon, 394th Infantry Regiment, 99th Infantry Division that took position on a hill near Lanzerath. They were confronted with the full might (of "force") of the German attack on December 16th. The platoon was able to inlfict heavy casualties amongst the Germans. They finally had to surrender when they ran out of ammunition.
Lyle Bouck was POW in Nurnberg, Hammelberg and Moosberg.
Lyle Bouck suvived, like all members of the platoon, the war.

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Distinguished Service Cross (DSC)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: 1st Lieutenant
Unit:: Intelligence and Reconnaissance Platoon, Headquarters Company, 394th Infantry regiment, 99th Infantry Division, U.S. Army
Awarded on:: October 29th, 1981

Citation:
"For extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving while serving as Platoon Leader, Intelligence and Reconnaissance Platoon, Headquarters Company, 394th Infantry Regiment, 99th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 16 December 1944, in the vicinity of Lanzerath, Belgium. During the morning hours, Captain Bouck and his platoon were manning observation posts and in a defensive position on the right flank of the 99th Infantry Division when the position came under heavy attack by enemy forces. Knowing the importance of defending this position and delaying the enemy's advance, Captain Bouck rallied his men to repel the enemy at all costs. Repeatedly exposing himself to enemy fire, he moved from position to position encouraging his men to continue to fight. His efforts were directly responsible for his platoon inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy, repelling them during three separate attacks, and delaying their advance for 18 hours. Finally, out of ammunition and hopelessly outnumbered and surrounded by the enemy, he was overwhelmed by the enemy forces and captured at gun point. Captain Bouck's extraordinarily heroic actions against insurmountable odds contributed materially to the allied success at the Battle of the Bulge. His personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 99th Infantry Division, and the United States Army."

General Order No. 8126, Headquarters Department of the Army, 29 October 1981