Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Corporal

Unit:

Company M, 134th Infantry Regiment, 35th Infantry Division "Santa Fe", U.S. Army (Company M, 134th Infantry Regiment, 35th Infantry Division "Santa Fe", U.S. Army)

Corporal Paul E. Faulconer, 38340784, Infantry, United States Army, for gallantry in action in the vicinity of Jallaucourt, France, on 30 September 1944. During the course of a strong enemy counterattack, the enemy penetrated the main line of resistance of the First Battalion, 134th Infantry, and forced the crew of an 81mm mortar section to withdraw. Members of this mortar section attached themselves to an adjoining rifle company and carried on the fight with small arms. Corporal Faulconer, a mortar gunner, realizing his ineffectiveness in the fire fight inasmuch as he was armed only with a pistol, remained with the rifle company long enough to determine the center of enemy activity, then returned to his mortar position accompanied by another member of his section. Despite the fact that the gunner accompanying was killed by enemy action as he reached the position, Corporal Faulconer, acting on his own initiative and under heavy enemy fire, fired his remaining mortar ammunition at the enemy. This fire was accurate and effective, and resulted in the destruction of an enemy machine gun nest and reduction of enemy pressure in the area. His gallant actions contributed materially to the success of his battalion in driving the enemy back with heavy losses.
Entered military service from Texas.


Headquarters 35th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 49 (1 November 1944).