US PARAS Acheson, Robert Burns

John Robertson

Administrator
Staff member
  • SURNAME
Acheson
  • FORENAME
Robert Burns
  • UNIT
504 Parachute Infantry Regiment (Regimental HQ and HQ Company - S-4)
  • RANK
Major
  • NUMBER
0-303279
  • AWARD
Distinguished Service Cross
  • PLACE
Italy 1943
  • ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
home town Moorhead, Minnesota
born 25.01.1912, Westhope, North Dakota, USA
father Samuel Stuart Acheson (1884-1936)
mother Elsie May (nee Condit) Acheson (1885-1974)
02.06.1935 married Delia Meland Acheson (1911-1979)
1 son and 1 daughter
WIA 17.9.1943 near Paestum, Italy
retired as Lieutenant Colonel
resided Mountain Home since 11.1952
died 22.01.1982, Mountain Home, Arkansas, USA (Aged 69)
Mountain Home Cemetery, Mountain Home, Arkansas, USA
 

CITATION:

Distinguished Service Cross : The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Major (Infantry) Robert B. Acheson (ASN: 0-303279), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, in action against enemy forces on 17 September 1943, about one mile east of Paestum, Italy. Major Acheson was assigned the mission of delivering five quarter-ton truckloads of ammunition to a battalion that was surrounded by enemy forces. At the La Cosa creek, the trucks were unable to proceed because of heavy enemy rifle, mortar, and artillery fire, With complete disregard to his own safety, Major Acheson then voluntarily proceeded alone across the valley to the encircled battalion. While crossing the valley, Major Acheson came upon a group of riflemen who were pinned down by enemy fire. He reorganized and directed their force so effectively that they cleared the opposition from the slope. Although he was wounded in the chest and sustained severe shell fragment wounds in the right arm, which later required amputation, Major Acheson completed his assigned mission before accepting medical attention. Major Acheson's intrepid actions, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 82d Airborne Division, and the United States Army.

WEB LINKS:

https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/21832

FINDAGRAVE:

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/19216058/robert-burns-acheson
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