- SURNAME
Thurmond
- FORENAME
Kelley Wofford
- UNIT
504th Parachute Infantry Regiment (Company F)
- RANK
Private First Class
- NUMBER
34689474
- AWARD
Silver Star
- PLACE
Netherlands, 28th September 1944
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
resided Fort McPherson, Georgia
born 11.11.1924 Comer, Georgia, USA
father Lilluis L. Thurmond
mother Cora L. (nee Wofford)
2 years high school
attended Boys High School
civil occupation semiskilled chauffeurs & drivers, bus, taxi, truck & tractor
employed by J.P/ Allen & Company, Peachtree Street, Shipping Department, Atlanta, Georgia
single without dependents upon enlistment
resided 312 Cherokee Place, South East, Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia (draft card)
1941 draft card Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia
11.02.1943 entered service Fort McPherson Atlanta, Georgia
10.1944 WIA
12.1944 discharged Hospital
20.11.1945 discharged (SSGT)
died 09.04.1995 (Aged 70)
Snellville Historical Cemetery, Snellville, Gwinnett County, Georgia, USA
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 Sergeant [then Private First Class] Kelly W. Thurmond (ASN: 34689474), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company F, 2d Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, in action on 28 September 1944, near ****, Holland. Sergeant Thurmond, seeing two of his fellow men fall wounded in the adjoining emplacement, disregarded all personal safety and dashed to their aid. With great courage and cool judgment, he administered first aid and carried them from the midst of fierce artillery fire to safety and medical attention. Fearlessly returning again through the bursting enemy shells, Sergeant Thurmond picked up a rifle previously manned by one of the wounded men, and moved forward to a more advantageous position. From there he delivered accurate and deadly fire on the enemy until the attack was dispersed. 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/recipient/recipient-91718/FINDAGRAVE:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/94353068/kelly-wofford-thurmond
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