Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

1st Lieutenant

Unit:

Company B, 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division "All American", U.S. Army

Awarded for:

Operation Market Garden

Woodrow W. Millsaps, O-1303923, First Lieutenant, 508th Parachute Infantry. For gallantry in action from 17 September 1944 to 22 September 1944 in the city of *** Holland and with 5 miles of ***. First Lieutenant Millsaps, Commanding Officer, Company B, 508th Parachute Infantry, led his company with exemplary courage and intrepidity during three separate engagement with a numerically superior enemy. On 17 September 1944 the First Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry, attacked the town of *** with two companies. The battalion reached a point within the city where strong enemy resistance was encountered. Control with the lead company was momentarily lost. First Lieutenant Millsaps retained control within his company, keeping his unit intact by means of personal contact with his platoon leaders, and led his company forward, seizing an important intermediate objective. His action enabled the lead company to reorganize and establish contact with the battalion commander. Throughout the night, First Lieutenant Millsaps travelled about in the darkness of the fire-swept town, retaining control of his company and coordinating the defense of his platoons. On 18 September, when the First Battalion attacked to clear a landing zone for glider landings after this LZ had been overrun by the Germans, he conducted his company in such a swift, aggressive attack that the company objective was promptly seized. Four 20mm antiaircraft guns were destroyed and 60 Germans were captured. While conducting the defense of an isolated roadblock at ***, Germany on 20 September, 1944, First Lieutenant Millsaps, who had only two platoons, one being detached, beat off continuous attacks by an enemy of battalion strength, reinforced by artillery, for more than twenty-four hours. The successful defense of this locality was mainly due to outstanding leadership and supervision under fire by First Lieutenant Millsaps. When friendly tanks moving in support of his company position erroneously began firing into one of his ;platoon positions, First Lieutenant Millsaps at great risk to himself, ran out in front of the lead tank and caused the tanks to cease firing. The conduct of First Lieutenant Millsaps in all engagements against the enemy have been such as to inspire much confidence within his company. His devotion to duty and personal bravery have contributed much to the successful accomplishment of his company and battalion missions, and have rendered a distinguished service in the finest traditions of the United States Army. Entered service from North Carolina.

Headquarters 82nd Airborne Division, General Orders No. 60 (30 November 1944).

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

1st Lieutenant

Unit:

Commanding Officer, Company B, 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division "All American", U.S. Army

Awarded on:

1944

Citation unavailable.

This award was obtained in the form of an Oak Leaf to be attached on the ribbon of the first award.
Headquarters 82nd Airborne Division, General Orders No. 69 (1944).

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Captain

Unit:

Company B, 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division "All American", U.S. Army

Citation unavailable.

Headquarters 82nd Airborne Division, General Orders No. 34 (1944).

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

1st Lieutenant

Unit:

Commanding Officer, Company B, 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division "All American", U.S. Army

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded with bronze arrowhead.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)