Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Sergeant

Unit:

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

Awarded on:

March 17th, 1945

Citation:
"For gallantry in action on 29 January 1945, at ***, Belgium, Sergeant Traband, Platoon Sergeant, Company C, 508th Parachute Infantry, was a member of a platoon which was held up in their attack by an enemy strong point at ***, Belgium. This strong point consisted of two houses which the enemy was defending with a large number of automatic weapons with a 75mm gun in support. Sergeant Traband, with two other men, volunteered to assault the position from the flank. The group only had thirty rounds of TSMG ammunition apiece, five clips of BAR ammunition, and a few grenades. They attacked the gun first and killed the tank commander. This demoralized the other crew members who ceased firing and fled. While Sergeant Traband's two comrades laid down a base of fire, Sergeant Traband assaulted the houses with grenades. The assault was successful and a total of forty-one prisoners were captured as a result of this action, thus permitting Company C to take the remainder of the village. The actions of this group were responsible for the success of the attack and the capture of ***. Sergeant Traband's gallant action reflects great credit upon himself and upon the Airborne Forces of the United States Army."

Headquarters 82nd Airborne Division, General Orders No. 34 (17 March 1945).