William Talmage Head
First Lieutenant, U.S. Army

On 21 September 1944, First Lieutenant William Talmadge Head was serving with the 142nd Infantry Regiment, 36th Infantry Division, Seventh U.S. Army.

On that day, 1LT Head’s unit was in action against German forces in the foothills of the Vosges Mountains in France. 1LT Head’s courageous actions and extraordinary heroism that day earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

On 8 December 1944, 1LT Head was commanding officer of Company A in action against German forces after breaching the Ste. Marie Pass and moving onto the Alsace Plain. On that day he was killed in action.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Purple Heart
American Campaign Medal
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with Silver Star
World War II Victory Medal
Combat Infantryman Badge

Distinguished Service Cross Citation (Synopsis)

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to William T. Head (0-415775), First Lieutenant (Infantry), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy in action against enemy forces on 21 September 1944. First Lieutenant Head's intrepid actions, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty at the cost of his life, exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

Headquarters, Seventh U.S. Army, General Orders No. 123 (1945)

Burial

First Lieutenant William Talmadge Head is buried at Goldthwaite Memorial Cemetery in Goldthwaite, Mills County, TX, in Section 3, Block 2, Plot 41.

https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=9101972