Cunningham, Robert F.

Date of birth:: April 30th, 1921
Date of death:: February 2nd, 2011
Nationality:: American

Biography

Rank: Colonel
Service years: 1941-1973

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Silver Star Medal (SSM)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Captain
Unit:: 2nd Mechanized Cavalry Group, XII Corps, Third Army, U.S. Army
Awarded on:: June 3rd, 1945

"For gallantry in action as a member of the 2d Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron (Mechanized), XII Corps, in action against an armed enemy on 5 March 1945, in Germany. Captain Cunningham's Troop was engaged in clearing a section of the Siegfried Line between Wasmerhillig and Trier. Captain Cunningham found that an underground fort of large size was impeding the advance of American troops by fire from the concrete emplacements. Captain Cunningham personally directed the fire of his two attached tank destroyers forcing the enemy to close the ports of the fort and advanced his guns to within 100 yards of the fort. He then personally led a dismounted patrol of his troops through the barbed wire defense of the fort and succeeded in reaching the top from which he silenced the automatic mortar by the use of hand grenades. This action forced the Commanding Officer of the fort to cease firing and to display the white flag. Captain Cunningham then personally entered the fort still occupied by the enemy and induced the commander to surrender the fort and its entire garrison, two officers and 51 men. Captain Cunningham's courage and audacity in personal leadership of his men in the attack on this fort was instrumental in the saving of many American lives and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service."

Headquarters, XII Corps, General Orders No. 44