Iowans In Italy Receive Awards
By Frank Miles
With the Fifth Army in Italy (IDPA) -- Sgt. Gordon Rowe, Anamosa, has the silver star, awarded after he had shown outstanding valor and resourcefulness in a 34th division battle with the nazis.
Enemy fire had destroyed all his battalion's anti-tank guns but one. The sergeant and a comrade dragged the only remaining gun from a burning truck under intense fire and the added danger of exploding ammunition which had been piled near it.
The fighting GIs then moved the gun 400 years across a mined field to a position where it could be used against the nazis. Racing to a friendly unit, they drove back with ammunition and by sighting through the bore of the gun, directed fire on hostile weapons. One hostile cred flew and another ceased operations.
Cpl. George L. Smith, son of Mrs. Mary l. Schetgen, Dubuque, who served in the 361st infantry of the 91st "Powder River" division, has been posthumously awarded the bronze star for heroic achievement in action.
Staff Sgt. Arthur F Dudley, Central City, wears the bronze star for heroic achievement in action because in the absence of officers, he successfully led his mortar platoon across a bitterly contested river. Dudley deployed his men as riflemen when they were subjected to blazing machine pistol fire. He also administered first aid and helped evacuate American wounded when counter battery fire knocked out his mortars. He then went from man to man of those still fighting encouraging then to hold their ground until reinforcements arrived. The sergeant is in the 168th infantry of the 34th division.
2nd Lt. John Decker, of Mason City, was promoted from staff sergeant in the 133rd infantry in recognition of his outstanding fighting ability. He has the silver star fro gallantry in action, the combat infantryman badge, two stars on his European theater ribbon and a good conduct medal. Two brothers are overseas: Sgt. Joseph, in the Aleutian Islands and Pfc. Raymond, in the air forces in England.
Source: Mount Pleasant News, February 14, 1945
