Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Staff Sergeant (Sergeant-Major)

Unit:

Company F, 355th Infantry Regiment, 89th Infantry Division "Rolling W", U.S. Army

STAFF SERGEANT WILLIAM M. GUEST, Infantry, 89th Infantry Division, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy as a Squad Leader, Company F, 355th Infantry Regiment, on 8 April 1945, in Germany. When his platoon was immobilized in an exposed position by two enemy machine guns and rifle fire that killed his Platoon Leader, Staff Sergeant Guest assumed command. Then, despite a leg wound and ignoring his comrades' pleas to remain under cover, he advanced alone upon the two weapons firing his rifle from his hip and dragging his injured leg. Three times he was knocked down by machine gun fire but each time struggled to his feet to press forward until he had killed five Germans and routed the remaining gunner. His silencing of the weapons enabled the platoon to advance and capture its objective but Staff Sergeant Guest was dead when his comrades reached him. His outstanding courage and sacrificial devotion to duty minimized the casualties to his platoon and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the armed forces.


Posthumously awarded.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Staff Sergeant (Sergeant-Major)

Unit:

Company F, 355th Infantry Regiment, 89th Infantry Division "Rolling W", U.S. Army