HEROES ON PARADE
In the battle history of Recon there have been up until VE Day eight bronze stars, three silver stars, three certificates of merit and 50 purple hearts. Men who fight know that it is not the fighting man's objective to get decorated or commended but to accomplish your mission at all costs of ignominy, oblivion, or even death. Some men live for decorations it is true. Members of the Axis were noted for their fondness of brass on the chest and in their horns. Of the decorations in the Recon Troop two outstanding things speak out: one, all of them were obtained as results of cooperative, coordinated action, secondly, every man who won them continued at his post in the same manner as ever. The greatest hero of all-time will always remain the "Unknown Soldier" chiefly because we know him or knew him so well. We can easily visualize his death with a machine gun still hot barreled in his lap where he slumped over for the last time. Or maybe he remains tangled in the wreckage of a plane. We have seen him a hundred times stretched out by the road always just about to do one more thing to make it safer for us. As we ride through liberated or surrendered towns or start telling our stories we may forget him because he is always so silent, so humble about his heroism into the ultimate. But in the long run we remember him a thousand times, and when we think of decorations and heroes, we recognize that we were glad, like he would be, that someone else on our team has "gone on over" for another touchdown (or is it only five points) or maybe has just done something else to keep the hometown and the family cheering. Anyhow it is all in the game and while it may not have been planned that way we helped it become that way. Here then is the story of the series of incidents of mutual assistance that finally sent some of our own men over the goal line and into the spotlight of higher commendation.
Worley, William K. -- Silver Star.
On 22 December 1944 the 99th Recon Troop was... attacked by superior enemy forces and a penetration effected in the first platoon sector. During the course of the attack... the third platoon captured six prisoners, and because of the seriousness of the situation... it was deemed necessary to evacuate the prisoners at once. Lieut. Worley... volunteered to escort to prisoners to the CP... knowing the enemy had infiltrated between the third platoon positions and the CP. Enroute to the CP with the prisoners... they were fired on by two German machine guns and several machine pistols. Lieut. Worley placed the prisoners under the guard of two men, and with two men attacked the machine gun positions... killing the crew of one gun and killing two and capturing the third member of the second gun.
Richard E. Staley -- Silver Star.
On 22 December 1944, during the course of an... attack on the positions held by the 99th Recon Troop... the third platoon being on the left flank was surrounded and cut off by... the enemy. Lieut. Staley, platoon leader of the third platoon, organized his platoon into a perimeter defense and held off the enemy until dark. When darkness fell, Lieut. Staley ordered his men to infiltrate two at a time... through the enemy to our lines. Lieut. Staley remained in... position until all his men had left, covering them with machine-gun fire, and then worked his way back to the Troop CP.
Yankovic, Nick L. -- Silver Star.
Tec 4 Yankovic... was an aid man attached to the 99th Recon Troop from the medical detachment, Hq Special Troops... and was so serving at 0630 hours 22 December 1944 when the platoon to which he was attached was submitted to a heavy and continuous artillery barrage preparatory to an attack by the 277th Volksgrenadier Division. When one member of the Troop was wounded... less than 30 yards from the nearest... armed enemy, Tec 4 Yankovic... with complete disregard for his own personal safety... moved up through the barrage to give aid to the wounded man. A few moments later, under the same conditions, he moved from a position of cover and again without regard for his own personal safety... rescued another grievously wounded man. Later in the day when the platoon was cut off by superior enemy forces... Tec 4 Yankovic volunteered to remain behind and assist in the evacuation... of all the men. He finally left when the last party of three or four men had infiltrated through the embattled area to... safety.
At 1300 hours on 3 January 1945 the third platoon of which Tec 4 Yankovic is a member, was attached to the 47th Infantry Regiment. While attacking an... enemy position... the platoon was pinned down by heavy mortar and artillery fire. Under the impact of the barrage... several men of the 47th were wounded. Frequently kneeling and lying prone... he worked coolly and efficiently through the height of the barrage. After the mission was completed... Tec 4 Yankovic accompanied the wounded men... back to their CP.
Roy C. Lueders, Capt., Cavalry (99th Recon Troop) -- Bronze Star
Recommended by: Walter E. Lauer, Commanding General,
99th Infantry Division
Alexander, Bernard G., Pfc (Posthumously) -- Bronze Star.
Superior enemy forces attacked positions occupied by 99th Reconnaissance Troop. Heavy losses were inflicted upon the enemy -- the third platoon was cut off and unable to withdraw until darkness when they infiltrated through the enemy -- Pfc Alexander, without regard for his own life left his position under heavy enemy machine gun and small arms fire and carried a wounded comrade to safety. -- He left his position a second time to secure 30 caliber ammunition for the machine gun he was helping to man -- Another man was critically wounded by enemy fire and Pfc Alexander was advancing under fire to aid this man when -- the accomplishment for which award is recommended has been completed.
Godwin, Billy R. -- Bronze Star.
At 0630 hours on 22 December 1944, superior enemy forces attacked positions in Germany occupied by the 99th Recon Troop. Heavy losses were inflicted on the enemy but do to superior enemy forces, the Troop was withdrawn to a defensive position. The third platoon of which Sgt. Godwin is a member, was cut off and unable to withdraw until dark. Sgt. Godwin manned a machine gun on the extreme left flank and prevented the enemy from breaching through to the platoons' rear positions.
Knowles, Milton R. -- Bronze Star.
During the period 25 December 1944 to 11 January 1945 T/Sgt. Knowles... was in charge of the Motor Section of the 99th Recon Troop. Due to enemy action it was necessary to have the Motor Section in a position for miles from the Troop. In the absence of any officer... T/Sgt. Knowles kept the vehicles of the troop in excellent condition, despite the fact that the position was under daily artillery and mortar fire.
McCoy, John R. -- Bronze Star.
At 0730 hours 22 December 1944, Pfc McCoy was called from... his OP to the position of the third platoon leader. Enroute... Pfc McCoy and another man encountered six German soldiers which they took prisoner without firing a shot. When a patrol sent from the troop CP encountered enemy troops while returning with the prisoners, Pfc McCoy... volunteered to join the patrol. The patrol continued to the troop CP under heavy enemy fire... with Pfc McCoy furnishing cover for the rear. He continuously fired at... the enemy troops, keeping them pinned down and preventing them from rushing the patrol.
Corporal Joseph W. Golla -- Bronze Star.
During the period 10 November 1944 to 11 January 1945, this organization occupied an overextended position necessitating the formation of a provisional platoon from troop headquarters, leaving but limited personnel to perform necessary administrative work. Corporal Golla's handling of the mail for the personnel of this troop though complicated by extenuating circumstances, was faultless.
During this period, though no provisions are made for wire communications, the troop, of necessity, laid wire to the positions. Corporal Golla, in addition to his other duties, operated the switchboard 12 hours a day, and during several heavy enemy artillery concentrations remained at the switchboard, maintaining constant communication, although on two separate occasions shrapnel from 240 mm artillery pierced the wall within five feet up of the switchboard.
During the above-mentioned period this organization was attached or assigned to four different higher headquarters, complicating the flow of administrative information from the parent organization, whose rear echelon was forced to move several times by the impending threat of a breakthrough. Corporal Golla displayed unusual initiative in obtaining and distributing mail to the troops, a very important factor in maintaining the morale of the organization.
Sgt. Sublett -- Bronze Star.
During the period 10 November 1944 to 23 December 1944, the troop occupied a dismounted defensive position, necessitating the use of wire for communication purposes. No provision is made for wire or wire personnel in the T/O of this organization. Sgt. Sublett undertook the job of laying and maintaining the wire to the platoon positions. On several occasions when heavy artillery concentrations had cut the wire, Sgt. Sublett, with artillery fire still falling, effected repairs and regained communication.
During the period the troop occupied the defensive position the troop vehicles were pooled and parked in Kalterherberg, which town was subjected to heavy artillery concentrations, during which concentrations several vehicles were hit and radios damaged. Sgt. Sublett, by improvising and reclaiming damaged parts through exceptional initiative was able to effect repairs prior to a hurried move to a new defensive position in which radio communication initially was vitally important.
In the new position occupied 24 December 1944, Sgt. Sublett again laid wire to widely scattered platoon positions, and though no equipment for laying or maintaining wire communication is available, Sgt. Sublett in addition to his other duties which are being performed in a superior manner, has maintained and at present is maintaining wire communication to the positions.
Staff Sgt. Lawrence -- Bronze Star.
During the period 10 November 1944 to 4 February 1945, Sgt. Lawrence acted as first cook of his organization. On 4 February 1945 the mess Sgt. of his organization was accidentally wounded and Sgt. Lawrence was appointed mess Sgt. He has been acting in this capacity to present date.
Under the poorest conditions, Sgt. Lawrence has always maintained an excellent mess. The preparation of meals and the sanitation of the mess has been worthy of commendation under the supervision of Sgt. Lawrence.
Sgt. Lawrence has distributed rations to the platoons in the line under heavy artillery fire. The Troop has never gone without their meals any day.
Osterkamp, Wilbur I. -- Certificate of Merit.
Tech 5 Osterkamp... has been troop clerk with the foreword elements during the period... 10 November 44 to 16 February 45. During this period the troop had their unit personnel section with the Division rear echelon. Although the troop CP was under heavy artillery fire on several occasions... Tech 5 Osterkamp carried on his administrative work has usual... working under extremely difficult conditions.
Eickmeier, Gerald D. -- Certificate of Merit.
At 0800 hours 22 December 1944, the troop CP received a message from the third platoon leader that they were holding six prisoners. Sgt. Eickmeier volunteered to go on a patrol with three other men and one officer to bring the prisoners back to the CP. Sgt. Eickmeier acting as scout for the patrol sighted five German soldiers directly in front of the patrol. Later they encountered two German machine guns and several automatic weapons. As a result, five German's were killed, one captured and one wounded. The patrol continued enroute to the CP and was fired on continually. Sgt. Eickmeier acting as scout picked the best covered route back to the CP and avoided bringing the patrol within close range of the enemy fire.
Neal, Felbert D. -- Certificate of Merit.
At 0730 hours 22 December 1944, the third platoon leader called to one of his OP positions to send two riflemen to his position. Tech 5 Neal and another man were sent. Enroute from the OP position to the platoons CP they encountered six German soldiers, which they took prisoner without firing a shot. A patrol of four EM and one officer was sent from the Troop CP to pick up the prisoners. On the way back to the CP, the patrol encountered enemy troops in their path. Tech 5 Neal volunteered with another man to join the patrol. When they arrived at the patrol positions, the patrol was in a fire fight with the enemy. Tech 5 Neal and 2 other members of the patrol advanced to the flank of the enemy position under fire and without cover. They encountered two machine guns and several automatic weapons. Five Germans were killed, one captured, and one wounded. Tech 5 Neal covered the rear of the patrol all the way to the CP under heavy enemy fire. He continually fired at enemy troops, keeping them pinned down and preventing them from rushing the patrol.
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