- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- 1st Lieutenant
- Unit:
- Company C, 307th Airborne Engineer Battalion, 82nd Airborne Division "All American", U.S. Army
Citation:
William W. Kellogg, (O-446618), First Lieutenant, 307th Airborne Engineer Battalion, 82nd Airborne Division. For extraordinary heroism in action, 15 September 1943 to 28 September 1943, between Paternapoli and Montello, Italy. As leader of an airborne platoon, Lieutenant Kellogg landed with his men forty miles behind enemy lines and for a period of thirteen consecutive days, in the face of constant danger and overwhelming enemy odds, courageously conducted outstandingly successful operations in enemy territory. During this period, Lieutenant Kellogg personally led his men in disrupting telephone, power and railroad lines, and demonstrated outstanding bravery and aggressiveness in his constant harassing of the enemy. In one night's action against superior enemy forces, Lieutenant Kellogg gallantly led his band in the ambush of an enemy convoy, destroying two troop carriers and inflicting many casualties on the enemy. On September 24, he demonstrated personal heroism of the highest type in rescuing a severely wounded Allied airman whose plane was shot down behind enemy lines. In close proximity to the enemy and under intense aerial bombardment and a hail of fire from enemy guns, Lieutenant Kellogg, with utter disregard for his own life, made his way to the wounded man on an open hillside, carried him to cover, and succeeded in delivering him to friendly hands. Lieutenant Kellogg's outstanding personal valor, his inspirational leadership despite hunger, thirst, fatigue, and constant danger, and his exceptional devotion to duty no matter what the odds reflect the highest traditions of the Army of the United States.