Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Captain

Unit:

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

Awarded on:

November 30th, 1944

Captain William M. Denny, O-404647, Infantry, United States Army, for heroic service in connection with military operations against an enemy of the United States in the vicinity of *** [Morhange], France on 14 and 15 November 1944. While commanding Company C, 134th Infantry, during offensive actions near the town of *** [Morhange], Captain Denny distinguished himself by an outstanding display of dynamic leadership and devotion to duty. After the company had been fighting for a thirty-six hour period without respite in wet and cold weather and had succeeded in repelling an enemy counterattack, Captain Denny was faced with the difficult task of reorganizing his unit. Although he had been actively at the head of his men during the entire battle, he went without sleep or rest to visit personally every man in his command, offering encouragement and assuring himself that positions were maintained, so that an enemy counterattack launched the following morning was successfully repulsed and the company continued its advance. Captain Denny’s unselfish actions are an honor to the military service, and reflect credit upon his character as an officer.
Entered military service from Missouri.

Headquarters 35th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 54 (30 November 1944).

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Captain

Unit:

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

Awarded on:

January 9th, 1945

Captain William M. Denny, O-404647, Infantry, United States Army, for gallantry in action at *** [Habkirchen], Germany on 12 and 13 December 1944. On 12 December, the First Battalion, 134th Infantry, had the mission of establishing a bridgehead on the German side of the *** [Blies] River. Company C, commanded by Captain Denny, was to cross first, followed by Company B, and from battalion reserve, Company A. In the assault-boat crossing, because of the swift current, several boats capsized, and several men drowned. When Company C reach the *** bank of the river, Captain Denny organized his men, and since there had been no artillery preparation for the crossing, the enemy was taken by surprise in two buildings used as strong points, sixty-five men and two officers being captured. In according with the plan, Captain Denny advanced to take the northern part of town, but now encountered an alerted enemy delivering heavy fire. Under Captain Denny’s leadership, his unit repelled the enemy, took six additional buildings, and set up a defensive position from which it repelled still another counterattack and enabled combat engineers to install a footbridge to be used by Companies A and B, as well as a vehicular bridge then under construction. When Company B made its crossing, it was disrupted by enemy action, whereupon its members were incorporated with Captain Denny’s command. Shortly after Company A made its crossing, the enemy again counterattacked. Captain Denny, moving among his men, coordinated their fire, encouraged them, checked their positions, as a result of which the enemy was once more repulsed. During all this period, Captain Denny had been tireless in his efforts to ensure his men of adequate food and ammunition. The gallant actions of Captain Denny during the period mentioned, materially contributed to the establishment, strengthening and widening of the American bridgehead over the *** [Blies ] River and in the control of the village of *** [Habkirchen].
Entered military service from Missouri.

Headquarters 35th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 3 (9 January 1945).

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Captain

Unit:

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

Awarded on:

January 9th, 1945

Captain William M. Denny, O-404647, Infantry, United States Army, for meritorious service in connection with military operations against an enemy of the United States near *** [Puttelange], France on 3 and 4 December 1944.
Entered military service from Missouri.

This award was obtained in the form of an Oak Leaf to be attached on the ribbon of the first award.
Headquarters 35th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 3 (9 January 1945).