254th Infantry Regiment- Page 9
The Distinguished Service Cross. Established by order of The President, 2
Jan 1918. Awarded to members of the US Army serving after 6 April 1917, who
distinguished themselves by "Extraordinary heroism in connection with military
operations against an opposing armed force."
S/Sgt Jack M. Collette, B Company, 254th Infantry
Regiment(Awarded Posthumously)
By direction of the President, the Distinguished Service Cross is awarded to
STAFF SERGEANT JACK M. COLLETTE, Company B, 254th Infantry
Regiment for extraordinary heroism in action on 25 April 1945, near Leipheim,
Germany. An enemy force of company strength, bearing white flags. advanced to
within two hundred yards of Sergeant Collette's platoon and then suddenly
opened fire. As the order was given for his platoon to withdraw, Sergeant
Collette voluntarily remained in an exposed position to provide covering fire. With
five comrades, he repeated his action when his unit failed to regain the position
from the numerically superior enemy. Deliberately exposing himself to accomplish
his self-assigned mission, Sergeant Collette was killed. His courageous actions
and regard for his fellow soldiers, live as an inspiration to the men of his unit. Next
of kin: Mrs Roahno Collette (Mother) 410 chestnut, Grand Forks, North Dakota.
(GO 574, 7th Army, 4 Oct 1945)
Lieutenant Colonel Robert E. Tucker, Headquarters Company, 1st
Battalion, 254th Infantry Regiment.
By direction of the President the Distinguished Service Cross is awarded to the
following individual: ROBERT E.TUCKER, 019 938, Lieutenant Colonel (then
Major), Infantry, Headquarters 1st Battalion, 254th Infantry Regiment, for
extraordinary heroism in action. On 23 January 1945, in the vicinity of Benwihr,
France, the 1st Battalion attacked a strongly defended enemy-held hill, under the
command of Colonel Tucker. As the battalion was moving up under heavy
artillery, mortar, machine gun and rifle fire, the center company encountered an
anti-personnel minefield and was pinned down. Colonel Tucker, realizing the
hopelessness of further advance acted quickly. With dauntless courage, he moved
through anti-personnel minefields under intense enemy fire, from one company to
another organizing and bringing the battalion under his personal control. Through
his cool, calm and deliberate action, Colonel Tucker was successful in
reorganizing his battalion and continuing the attack which resulted in the capture
and occupation of the strongly fortified hill. Entered military service from
Winthrop, Massachusetts. (Authority GO 263 Hq 7th US Army, 24 June
1945.)Webmaster's note: For further details concerning the Battle of Hill 216 ,
click below.
Go to 254th Infantry Regiment- Page 10
Battle of Hill 216
Jan 1918. Awarded to members of the US Army serving after 6 April 1917, who
distinguished themselves by "Extraordinary heroism in connection with military
operations against an opposing armed force."
S/Sgt Jack M. Collette, B Company, 254th Infantry
Regiment(Awarded Posthumously)
By direction of the President, the Distinguished Service Cross is awarded to
STAFF SERGEANT JACK M. COLLETTE, Company B, 254th Infantry
Regiment for extraordinary heroism in action on 25 April 1945, near Leipheim,
Germany. An enemy force of company strength, bearing white flags. advanced to
within two hundred yards of Sergeant Collette's platoon and then suddenly
opened fire. As the order was given for his platoon to withdraw, Sergeant
Collette voluntarily remained in an exposed position to provide covering fire. With
five comrades, he repeated his action when his unit failed to regain the position
from the numerically superior enemy. Deliberately exposing himself to accomplish
his self-assigned mission, Sergeant Collette was killed. His courageous actions
and regard for his fellow soldiers, live as an inspiration to the men of his unit. Next
of kin: Mrs Roahno Collette (Mother) 410 chestnut, Grand Forks, North Dakota.
(GO 574, 7th Army, 4 Oct 1945)
Lieutenant Colonel Robert E. Tucker, Headquarters Company, 1st
Battalion, 254th Infantry Regiment.
By direction of the President the Distinguished Service Cross is awarded to the
following individual: ROBERT E.TUCKER, 019 938, Lieutenant Colonel (then
Major), Infantry, Headquarters 1st Battalion, 254th Infantry Regiment, for
extraordinary heroism in action. On 23 January 1945, in the vicinity of Benwihr,
France, the 1st Battalion attacked a strongly defended enemy-held hill, under the
command of Colonel Tucker. As the battalion was moving up under heavy
artillery, mortar, machine gun and rifle fire, the center company encountered an
anti-personnel minefield and was pinned down. Colonel Tucker, realizing the
hopelessness of further advance acted quickly. With dauntless courage, he moved
through anti-personnel minefields under intense enemy fire, from one company to
another organizing and bringing the battalion under his personal control. Through
his cool, calm and deliberate action, Colonel Tucker was successful in
reorganizing his battalion and continuing the attack which resulted in the capture
and occupation of the strongly fortified hill. Entered military service from
Winthrop, Massachusetts. (Authority GO 263 Hq 7th US Army, 24 June
1945.)Webmaster's note: For further details concerning the Battle of Hill 216 ,
click below.
Go to 254th Infantry Regiment- Page 10
Battle of Hill 216
Distinguished Service Cross Awards
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