- SURNAME
Shunstrom
- FORENAME
Charles Merton
- UNIT
1 Ranger Bn (HQ + Company C)
- RANK
Captain
- NUMBER
0-452096
- AWARD
Silver Star with oak leaf cluster, Bronze Star, Croix de Guerre (Fr)
- PLACE
Italy 1943-44
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
from Rockland, Massachusetts
born 20.11.1920 Quincy, Massachusetts
married 1941 (dissolved)
POW Cisterna, Italy (escaped after one month)
died 4.12.1972 Buffalo, New York
Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia Section 54 Site 5836
CITATION:
Silver Star : Captain (Infantry) Charles Merton Shunstrom (ASN: 0-452096), United States Army, was awarded the Silver Star for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in connection with military operations against the enemy while serving with Company C, 1st Ranger Battalion, in North Africa in 1943.
Silver Star (Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster) : The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Captain (Infantry) Charles Merton Shunstrom (ASN: 0-452096), United States Army, for gallantry in action at Butera, Sicily. On 14 July 1943, Captain Shunstrom led his command, Company C, 1st Ranger Battalion, under the cover of darkness to the base of a mountain at the top of which rested his objective, the walled city of Butera (elevation 1,200 feet). Proceeding up the mountain his company came under intense machine gun and rifle fire. Captain Shunstrom bravely led his command in the attack, killing thirty and capturing ninety of the enemy, which allowed the remainder of his unit to advance and capture the city without opposition. By his outstanding ability, courage and devotion to duty, Captain Shunstrom contributed materially to the success of the operation.
Silver Star (Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster) : The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Captain (Infantry) Charles Merton Shunstrom (ASN: 0-452096), United States Army, for gallantry in action at Butera, Sicily. On 14 July 1943, Captain Shunstrom led his command, Company C, 1st Ranger Battalion, under the cover of darkness to the base of a mountain at the top of which rested his objective, the walled city of Butera (elevation 1,200 feet). Proceeding up the mountain his company came under intense machine gun and rifle fire. Captain Shunstrom bravely led his command in the attack, killing thirty and capturing ninety of the enemy, which allowed the remainder of his unit to advance and capture the city without opposition. By his outstanding ability, courage and devotion to duty, Captain Shunstrom contributed materially to the success of the operation.
WEB LINKS:
https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/135589
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