Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

1st Lieutenant

Unit:

Company B, 743rd Tank Battalion, 1st Infantry Division "The Big Red One", U.S. Army

Awarded on:

1944

First Lieutenant Harold R. Beavers, 01011362, 743rd Tank Battalion, United States Army. For extraordinary heroism in action against the enemy on 6 June 1944 in France. First Lieutenant Beavers landed on the coast of France under heavy enemy small arms, machine gun, mortar and artillery fire with the initial assault wave. During this landing the company commander was killed in action, First Lieutenant Beavers calmly and courageously assumed command of the disorganized company and moved forward up the beach. When another officer in the company was seriously wounded First Lieutenant Beavers, despite the intense enemy fire and without regard for his own personal safety, dismounted from his tank, placed the wounded officer onto his tank and moved the tank through an enemy mine field to a place from which the aid men could remove the wounded officer. First Lieutenant Beavers then mounted his tank and directed the company in the opening of a beach exit. The gallantry, outstanding leadership and personal bravery displayed by First Lieutenant Beavers reflects great credit upon himself and is in keeping with the highest traditions of the Armed Forces.

Headquarters, First U.S. Army, General Orders No. 37 (1944).