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Ernest T. Roberts |
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Engagements: • World War II (1941 - 1945) |
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Biography: | ||||
Ernest T. Roberts On D-Day, 6 June 1944, Corporal Ernest T. Roberts was serving with Company D, 2nd Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, First U.S. Army. On that day, CPL Roberts’ unit was in action against German forces in Normandy, France. After landing by parachute before dawn on D-Day and joining a composite group that proceeded to carry out a battalion mission, CPL Roberts and 2 comrades served as an outpost in a building on the edge of Guetteville. When a battalion of German infantry, reinforced by tanks, approached from the west and placed machine guns and mortars in position, the 3 men immediately opened fire on the enemy. Although ordered to leave the post, the 3 men determined to hold out until the 30 men in the town had withdrawn. CPL Roberts assisted in holding the hostile force at bay for 2 hours, killing 15 Germans and wounding many others. CPL Roberts' brave, voluntary action delayed the Germans enough to allow the main body of parachute troops to establish defensive positions to the east from which they were able to deny the overwhelming German forces the opportunity to cross the Merderet River. CPL Roberts’ courageous actions and extraordinary heroism that day earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross. CPL Roberts was captured by the Germans and held as a Prisoner of War. Medals, Awards and Badges Distinguished Service Cross Distinguished Service Cross Citation The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Corporal Ernest T. Roberts (ASN: 18199335), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company D, 2d Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, in action against enemy forces on 6 June 1944, in France. After landing by parachute before dawn on D-Day and joining a composite group which proceeded to carry out a battalion mission, Corporal Roberts and two comrades served as an outpost in a building on the edge of Guetteville. When a battalion of German infantry, reinforced by tanks, approached from the west and placed machine guns and mortars in position, those three valiant men immediately opened fire on the enemy. Ordered to leave the post, they determined to hold out until the 30 men in the town had withdrawn. Corporal Roberts assisted in holding the hostile force at bay for two hours, killing 15 Germans and wounding many others. His voluntary and courageous action delayed the enemy sufficiently to permit the main body of parachute troops to establish defensive positions to the east from which they were able to deny overwhelming German forces the opportunity of crossing the Merderet River. Corporal Roberts' superb heroism and unselfish devotion to duty exemplifies the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflects great credit upon himself, the 82d Airborne Division, and the United States Army. Headquarters, First U.S. Army, General Orders No. 61 (1944) |
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Honoree ID: 315748 | Created by: MHOH |