Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Captain

Unit:

Commanding Officer Company A, 10th Tank Battalion, 5th Armored Division "Victory Division" U.S. Army

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Arthur Norman Whitley (0-1011307), Captain (Armor), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy serving as Commanding Officer of a Company of the 10th Tank Battalion, 5th Armored Division, in action during the period 14 through 20 September 1944, in Germany. Captain Whitley displayed superior qualities of leadership in commanding his tank company and set an outstanding example of courage and initiative for his men. On 14 September, when infantrymen supporting his tanks were pinned down by devastating artillery fire from a wooded area, he leaped from his tank, led the infantrymen into the woods and destroyed the enemy. On another occasion, when an enemy roadblock was holding up his progress and enemy artillery was concentrated in an intense barrage pinning his supporting infantry to the ground, Captain Whitley dismounted, calmly walked over to the roadblock and attempted to remove it. As a result of his leadership, several men joined him and the roadblock was successfully removed. Able to move forward, he led in destroying two German tanks and three anti- tank guns. Captain Whitley's courage, calmness and superior leadership under fire exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 5th Armored Division, and the United States Army.


Headquarters, First U.S. Army, General Orders No. 68 (1944).