- SURNAME
Tess
- FORENAME
Willard G.
- UNIT
504 Parachute Infantry Regiment (Company F)
- RANK
Sergeant
- NUMBER
6919906
- DATE OF DEATH
7th January 1945
- AGE
23
- GRAVESITE
Bayside Cemetery,Sturgeon Bay,Door County,Wisconsin
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
from Sturgeon Bay,Door County,Wisconsin
born 25.8.1921 Door County,Wisconsin
entered service 12.12.1939
Infantry (3 years)
award Silver Star
KIA Belgium
DATE OF DEATH:
07-Jan-1945AWARD:
https://www.specialforcesroh.com/index.php?threads/tess-willard-g.35068/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 Private First Class Willard G. Tess (ASN: 6919906), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company F, 2d Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, in action on 17 September 1944, about one mile from ****, Holland. Private First Class Tess, a light machine gunner in the 3d Platoon of Company F, was moving forward toward the platoon objective which was the vitally important Bridge No. 11 across the Mass-Waal Canal when the foremost elements of Company F were pinned down by accurate grazing fire form a 20-mm. flak gun in a strongly protected position near the bridge. As speed was of the utmost importance for the success of the mission, a patrol was dispatched for the purpose of silencing the gun. Private First Class Tess joined this patrol. There was no alternative except to move through an open field for a distance of 150 yards to the gun emplacement. While engaged in this hazardous maneuver and being subjected to the full concentration of the enemy fire, Private First Class Tess was hit in no less than 32 different places by the flying shrapnel of the 20-mm. gun. Refusing medical aid, Private First Class Tess despite his numerous painful wounds doggedly and coolly pressed home the attack until he was able to bring his Tommy Gun to bear on the enemy. But skillful use of his gun and by throwing hand grenades, he personally killed or wounded the entire eight man gun crew and completely reduced the position. Still refusing medical evacuation, he continued on with the patrol and aided in cleaning out another gun emplacement and some dugouts. When the patrol was unable to reach one 20-mm. gun, Private First Class Tess retraced the exposed terrain to the remainder of his platoon and pin-pointed its location so that effective mortar fire could be brought to bear on it. Only after having delivered this information to his superiors did Private First Class Tess consent to be treated for his wounds and evacuated from the scene of the action. The heroism and undeniable will to succeed in the face of heavy odds which Private First Class Tess so persistently exhibited proved highly instrumental in the successful accomplishment of his company's important mission during a critical period in the initial stages of the airborne operations in Holland. His unselfish courage undoubtedly reduced to a minimum the casualties which his company and comrades might otherwise have suffered and is entirely in keeping with the highest traditions of the Military Service.
WEB LINKS:
https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/91698
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