Acheson, Robert B.

Date of birth:: January 25th, 1912
Date of death:: January 22nd, 1982
Nationality:: American

Biography

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Distinguished Service Cross (DSC)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Major
Unit:: S-4, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division "All American", U.S. Army

Citation: Robert B. Acheson, (O-303279), Major, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division. For extraordinary heroism in action. On 17 September 1943, about one mile east of Paestum, Italy, Major Acheson was assigned the mission of delivering five 1/4 ton truckloads of ammunition to a battalion that was surrounded by enemy forces. At the La Cosa creek, the trucks were unable to proceed because of heavy enemy rifle, mortar, and artillery fire, With complete disregard to his own safety, Major Acheson then voluntarily proceded alone across the valley to the encircled battalion. While crossing the valley, Major Acheson came upon a group of riflemen who were pinned down by enemy fire. He reorganized and directed their force so effectively that they cleared the opposition from the slope. Although he was wounded in the chest and sustained severe shell fragment wounds in the right arm, which later required amputation, Major Acheson completed his assigned mission before accepting medical attention. Major Acheson's devotion to duty and complete disregard of his own personal interests reflect great credit upon himself and the Army of the United States.