Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Corporal

Unit:

Company B, 180th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division "Thunderbird", U.S. Army

Awarded on:

1943

For action performed on 10 July 1943 during operation Husky (Allied invasion of Sicily) in the Province of Caltanissetta, Sicily region, Italy.
In the evening of 10 July 1943, Corporal Freeland, together with two other soldiers, set up a 60mm mortar, while under sustained enemy fire. Although the two other soldiers were painfully injured, they aimed their mortar fire at three Mark VI "Tiger" tanks, until their mortar was put out of action as a result of a grenade explosion. Their action slowed the tank down in such a manner that other men of B Company could manoeuvre to a better position. For their courageous behaviour all three soldiers received a Silver Star.