Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Private 1st Class

Unit:

Company B, 1st Battalion, 11th Infantry Regiment, 5th Infantry Division "Red Diamond", U.S. Army

Awarded on:

March 19th, 1945

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Private First Class Robert W. Holmlund (ASN: 37278044), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company B, 11th Infantry Regiment, 5th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces in France, on 3 October 1944. On that date, during an assault by the 11th Infantry against strongly-defended Fort Driant, France, Private Holmlund advanced with the first wave of assault troops. Fearlessly braving withering fire he rushed to the top of the first emplacement, kicked off the tile topping while exposed to direct sniper fire and coolly dropped explosive charges into the ventilating shaft, forcing the enemy to withdraw with their casualties. Continuing on he silenced an enemy machine-gun and later, when the enemy counter-attacked, he deliberately selected an exposed position and scatter ed an entire unit with devastating automatic rifle fire. Private Holmlund was killed later while personally checking positions of his men during an enemy artillery barrage, but his conspicuous heroism and courageous devotion to duty live on as an inspiration to his comrades.

Posthumously awarded.
Headquarters, Third U.S. Army, General Orders No. 61 (19 March 1945).