Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

2nd Lieutenant

Unit:

Company B, 49th Armored Infantry Battalion, 8th Armored Division "Thundering Herd", U.S. Army (Company B, 49th Armored Infantry Battalion, 8th Armored Division "Thundering Herd", U.S. Army)

The Silver Star is presented to William C. Lowry (0-2010954), Second Lieutenant (Infantry), U.S. Army, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving with Company B, 49th Armored Infantry Battalion, 8th Armored Division, in Germany on 5 March 1945. Lieutenant (then Technical Sergeant) Lowry was commanding the first platoon of his company. The platoon on his right was held up by enemy action, thus exposing his men to flank fire. Lieutenant Lowry, with two men, set out under a hail of small arms fire to take an enemy strong point from which the fire was coming. En route to the enemy-occupied building, he individually knocked out an 88-mm. anti-aircraft gun. He entered the enemy-occupied house under a hail of fire and returned with an enemy officer. He forced the German officer to order the remaining occupants to surrender. A total of fifty prisoners were thus accounted for. Throughout the mission, Lieutenant Lowry displayed courage and initiative with complete disregard for his own safety. His gallantry was beyond the call of duty and reflected credit upon himself and the Military Forces of the United States. Hometown: Dayton, Ohio.

Headquarters, 8th Armored Division, General Orders No. 12 (22 March 1945).