Daniel H. Kluck
Corporal, U.S. Army

On 16 March 1945, Corporal Daniel H. Kluck was serving with Company B, 3rd Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron (Mechanized).

On that day, CPL Kluck’s unit was in action against German forces in Germany. CPL Kluck was leading a patrol in search of a platoon from his troop when they came under intense fire from 3 German machine guns. CPL Kluck and another man engaged the nearest machine gun and destroyed it while drawing fire from the remaining enemy guns upon themselves and allowing the rest of the patrol to withdraw to safety. CPL Kluck was wounded in the exchange of fire and his companion was killed, but he refused to withdraw and advanced toward another threatening German machine gun position. CPL Kluck was successful in dispersing the German crew and neutralizing the enemy position before succumbing to fatal wounds sustained in the action. CPL Kluck’s selfless, courageous actions and extraordinary heroism that day earned him, at the cost of his life, the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

Medals and Awards

Distinguished Service Cross
Silver Star Medal
Purple Heart
Army Good Conduct Medal
American Campaign Medal
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with Arrowhead Pin and 4 Bronze Stars
World War II Victory Medal

Distinguished Service Cross Citation

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Corporal Daniel H. Kluck (ASN: 38535781), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company B, 3d Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron (Mechanized), in action against enemy forces in Germany. On 16 March 1945, Corporal Kluck was leading a patrol in search of a platoon from his troop when they came under intense fire from three enemy machine guns. Corporal Kluck and another man engaged the nearest machine gun and destroyed it, drawing fire from the remaining enemy guns upon themselves and allowing the remainder of the patrol to withdraw to safety. His companion was killed and Corporal Kluck painfully wounded in the exchange of fire, but he refused to withdraw and fearlessly advanced toward another threatening enemy machine gun position. With utter disregard for himself, Corporal Kluck was successful in dispersing the crew and neutralizing the enemy position before succumbing to fatal wounds sustained in the action. His intrepid actions and fearless gallantry are a constant inspiration to those with whom he served and reflect only the highest credit upon himself and the military service.

General Orders: Headquarters, U.S. Forces-European Theater, General Orders No. 13 (1946)

Burial

Corporal Daniel H. Kluck is buried at the Luxembourg American Cemetery and Memorial in Hamm, Canton de Luxembourg, Luxembourg, Luxembourg in Plot H, Row 4, Grave 66.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56062055/daniel-h-kluck