Iowans Win Award For Brave Action
By Frank Miles
(Daily Times Herald War Correspondent)
First Army in Germany (IDPA) -- Lieutenant John B. McKay, Des Moines; Tech. Sgt. Milo W. Miller, Boone; and Staff Sgt. Wilford D.Brown, Albia, of the First infantry division have been awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action. Lieutenant McKay though wounded, assumed command of a disorganized platoon and led it in a successful assault. Sgt. Miller directed fire fighters in extinguishing flames in a garage of tank destroyers despite an enemy artillery barrage and exploding tank ammunition. Sergeant Brown led a bayonet attack to capture a position.
Tech. Sgt. Carl L. Butler, North English; Staff Sgt. Darrell E. Beauregard, Marion, and T/5 John A. Boefhoff, Jr., Wellsburg, have received the Bronze Star for meritorious achievement.
When the 19th tank battalion's lead tank was knocked out, the bow gunner fatally wounded and the gunner wounded, the platoon leader dismounted and traveled afoot to reorganize the remaining tanks of his command. T/4 Franklin Evans, Newhall, the driver, remained with the wounded and the first aid he gave one helped recovery.
Near Savelborn, Luxembourg, when his tank was knocked out, T/4 Evans, under heavy fire, administered first aid to a wounded platoon sergeant, then manned a machine gun on a half track.
Captain George P. Soumas, Perry, of the 14th tank battalion, led the first American tanks over the Ludendorf bridge on the Rhine when the American troops crossed to the east side after a hard fight.
During the dash from the Roer to the Rhine, Captain Soumas and his men spent 11 days and nights in their tanks sleeping little and eating only emergency rations.
Lieutenant Carl E. Linder, Des Moines, of the Ninth armored division, led his company to capture Wichterich, Germany, then set up a command post and waited for the infantry to come. The doughboys marched all night through rain and mud to take the place.
Iowans in the Third armored division recently decorated: Bronze Star Oak Leaf Cluster, Sgt. Maurice M. Gummert, Marshalltown; Bronze Star, Lieutenant Colonel Mathew W. Kane, Des Moines; Air Medal Oak Leaf Cluster, Lieutenant Lester W. Hardgrover, Oskaloosa, and Second Lieutenant Victor W. Grotlisch, Des Moines; Air Medal, Lieutenant Col. George G. Garton, Des Moines.
Colonel Damon M. Gunns of First army military government has been awarded the Croix de Guerre by the French government. Born May 27, 1899 in Black Hawk county, he was graduated from West Point in 1923. While there he was on the fencing team and ranked Number One on inpractical military engineering. He wears the Bronze Star.
In the Fifth army in North Italy, Tech. Sgt Glen G. Hodgson, Hawarden, of the 85th division, has been awarded the Silver Star, and Lieutenant James T. Easton, Burlington, of the 85th, the Bronze Star.
Staff Sgt. George R. Keller, Humboldt, won the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services in the 168th infantry.
Captain Arley J. Wilson, Marshalltown, of the 88th division, was awarded simultaneously, the sixth and seventh Oak Leaf cluster to the Air Medal for completing an additional 70 sorties.
Captain William C. Goenne, Davenport, of the 91st division, got an oak leaf cluster to the Bronze Star for heroic achievement in action.
Staff Sgt. Creslie W. Lewis, Des Moines, and Cpls. John W. Scott, Leon; Ross O. Mitchell, Clinton; Charles C. Galbaugh, Dolliver, won the Bronze Star for heroic achievement in action, and Cpls. Edward L. Brayton, Waverly and George D. Durham, Lacona, for meritorious service in combat.
Tech Sgt. Roman J. Mahlberg, Dunlap and Staff Sgt. Harold L. Kassell, Vinton, were homeward bound on furlough, after almost three years overseas in the 34th division.
Source: Carroll Daily Times Herald, April 28, 1945
