- SURNAME
Walas
- FORENAME
John
- UNIT
505 Parachute Infantry Regiment (Company E)
- RANK
First Lieutenant
- NUMBER
0-1305137
- DATE OF DEATH
5th January 1945
- AGE
- GRAVESITE
Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery,Belgium Plot C Row 7 Grave 39
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
from Wayne County,Michigan
awards Silver Star,Bronze Star
KIA Belgium
DATE OF DEATH:
05-Jan-1945AWARD:
https://www.specialforcesroh.com/index.php?threads/walas-john.35377/CITATION:
Silver Star : The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant (Infantry) John Walas (ASN: 0-1305137), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company E, 2d Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, in action on 20 December 1944, near ****, Belgium. First Lieutenant Walas displayed outstanding leadership when he led his platoon to establish a bridgehead across the Saim River. He personally placed his men in commanding positions on the road net and held these positions for a day and a night. His command was under almost constant enemy attacks of overwhelming numerically superiority and was occasionally threatened with being overrun. First Lieutenant Walas, by his courage, aggressiveness and leadership, inspired his men to stay and hold the positions from which they inflicted numerous casualties upon the enemy. As a result of his direction the platoon turned back five separate desperate counterattacks and destroyed two enemy half track vehicles. First Lieutenant Walas' exemplary conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Airborne Forces.
WEB LINKS:
https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/91785
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