Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

1st Lieutenant

Unit:

Company B, 760th Tank Battalion, 88th Infantry Division "Fighting Blue Devils", U.S. Army

George E. Cox, 0-1014358, First Lieutenant, Company B, 760th Tank Battalion. For gallantry in action on 12 July 1944, in the vicinity of Cedri, Italy. As a tank platoon leader, First Lieutenant Cox led an attack on enemy machine gun emplacements that were holding up the advance of our infantry. He skilfully maneuvered his tanks ahead of the infantry into an exposed and advanced firing position where he was immediately subjected to an intense mortar and artillery concentration. Regardless of this fire, he directed heavy counter fire into the enemy positions, completely destroying one machine gun and its crew. Later in the day hostile artillery shelling was increased and First Lieutenant Cox was injured when several shells landed near his tank. The enemy then launched a counterattack with a Mark IV tank and bazooka squads. But in spite of his injuries, First Lieutenant Cox remained in position and succeeded in knocking out the enemy tank and killing a number of enemy infantrymen. His courageous leadership, aggressiveness, and determination under fire, was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service. Entered military service from Buffalo, Kansas.