Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Captain

Unit:

Company I, 253d Infantry Regiment, 63rd Infantry Division "Blood and Fire", U.S. Army (Company I, 253d Infantry Regiment, 63rd Infantry Division "Blood and Fire", U.S. Army)

By direction of the President the Distinguished Service Cross is awarded to the following individual: Robert H. Meade 0 423 346, Captain, Infantry, Company I, 253rd Infantry Regiment, for extraordinary heroism in action on 8 April 1945, near Züttlingen, Germany. When his company was unable to enter the town because of heavy enemy machine gun activity, Captain Meade, armed with an M-1 rifle, moved out alone toward the objective. His daring attack resulted in the capture of fourteen SS men and completely unnerved the strongly entrenched enemy. Advancing through the town under sniper fire, he located the mayor and then forced more than one hundred hostile civilians to cease resistance. Captain Meade's courageous action achieved, single-handledly, the surrender of the town. His outstanding initiative and gallantry reflect great credit upon himself and in keeping with the finest traditions of the infantry. Entered military service from Washington, Indiana.

Headquarters, Seventh U.S. Army, General Orders No. 496 (10 september 1945).