- SURNAME
Klee
- FORENAME
Henry Joseph
- UNIT
504 Parachute Infantry Regiment
- RANK
Corporal
- NUMBER
32264499
- AWARD
Silver Star, Bronze Star
- PLACE
Europe
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
born 22.3.1920 Newark, Essex County, New Jersey
son of Daniel J. and Ursula M. Klee
4 years high school
graduated Toms River High School 1939
attended Franklin and Marshall College, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
civil occupation semiskilled filers, grinders, buffers and polishers
employed by Born Seaside Heights (Lifeguard)
single without dependents upon enlistment
01.07.1941 draft card Toms River, New Jersey
06.04.1942 entered service Fort Dix, New Jersey
served Italy, Holland and Belgium
09.02.1945 discharged
owner, Klee's Bar and Grill, Seaside Heights
employed, US Postal Service 1980-87
married Jean 1947 (4 children)
died 18.8.2010 Whiting, Ocean County, New Jersey
Brig.Gen. Wm C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Wrightstown, Burlington County, New Jersey Section R2 Site 4244
CITATION:
Silver Star : The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Henry J. Klee (ASN: 32264499), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company B, 1st Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, in action on 20 December 1944, near ****, Belgium. Corporal Klee, Assistant Squad Leader, was advancing with his squad to attack a strongly held enemy roadblock. When he was 400 yards away the enemy opened fire, pinning down the entire squad. At this crucial moment, Corporal Klee jumped to his feet and dashed forward into the intense direct fire, calling on his squad to follow. At close range he opened fire on a flak-wagon, forcing the crew to abandon their vehicle. Corporal Klee was hit in the leg and head. Badly wounded and unable to move, he shouted instruction to the men following, enabling them to advance and destroy another enemy flak-wagon without further casualties. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.
WEB LINKS:
• https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/90984FINDAGRAVE:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/57369328/henry-j-klee
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