Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

2nd Lieutenant

Unit:

Company A, 1st Battalion, 134th Infantry Regiment, 35th Infantry Division "Santa Fe", U.S. Army

Awarded on:

August 8th, 1944

Second Lieutenant Edward K. Hum, O-1322031, Infantry, United States Army, for meritorious service in connection with military operations against an enemy of the United States, 17 July 1944, in the Saint-Lô sector, Normandy, France. During the operations on Hill 122, Lieutenant Hum’s platoon became isolated from the remainder of the company. He salvaged a telephone and wire and ran the wire to his battalion command post through heavy enemy fire, re-establishing contact with his company. He also personally assisted in the adjustment of counter battery fire against the enemy. The determined and resourceful action of Lieutenant Hum, performed with disregard to his personal safety with resultant substantial facilitation of the accomplishment of the organization’s mission reflects credit on the military service.
Entered military service from Ohio.

Headquarters 35th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 16 (8 August 1944).

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

1st Lieutenant

Unit:

Company A, 1st Battalion, 134th Infantry Regiment, 35th Infantry Division "Santa Fe", U.S. Army

Awarded on:

October 29th, 1944

First Lieutenant Edward K. Hum, O-1322031, Infantry, United States Army, for gallantry in action near *** [Nancy], France 18 September 1944. When Companies A and C, 134th Infantry, drove the enemy from *** Hill [Pain de Sucre] and occupied this high ground, the enemy counterattacked after dark, mortally wounding the commanding officer of Company A. Lieutenant Hum, Executive Officer of Company A, assumed command and led his troops in hand-to-hand combat with the enemy. In darkness and confusion, the men of Company A became separated. Companies A and C then withdrew and the enemy retook the hill. At daylight, Lieutenant Hum discovered that he and eleven of his men remained on the high ground, surrounded by the enemy. Exercising sound judgment, coolness and outstanding leadership, Lieutenant Hum led his men through the enemy line to the foot of the hill, reorganized the remainder of Company A and joined with the third battalion in an attack that successfully retook the high ground.
Entered military service from Ohio.

Headquarters 35th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 48 (29 October 1944).