Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Private 1st Class

Unit:

Company G, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division "All American", U.S. Army

Awarded on:

March 14th, 1945

Citation:
"For extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company G, 3rd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division in action against the enemy on 21 December 1944, one-half mile south of Cheneux, Belgium. As a machine gunner, Private First Class Holsti was dug in position on the far left flank of his company's defense line protecting the link with Company C to its left. At approximately 0800 hours, the enemy mounted a determined attack with at least of company of infantry supported by two flakwagons and artillery. Private First Class Holsti, seeing the casualties being caused by the fire from the 20mm cannons on the vehicles, immediately placed all the fire possible from his light machine gun upon the advancing vehicles. In consequence, the flakwagons focused their firepower on the harassing gun position. Private First Class Holsti was seriously wounded several times. Despite these wounds, he continued to fire effectively at the vehicles, until bazooka men were able to get into a firing position from which they were able to knock out one vehicle and force the other to withdraw. Seeing their supporting armor eliminated, the enemy infantry broke off the attack. Private First Class Holsti continued to fire unassisted at the retreating infantry until he collapsed in his hole from great loss of blood. As a result of Private First Class Holsti's unsurpassed courage and unswerving devotion to duty, a serious threat to his company's whole defensive perimeter was eliminated. His actions were an inspiration to all who witnessed them and are typical of the highest standards of the Airborne Forces.

Headquarters, XVIII Airborne Corps, General Orders No. 19