Hassell C. Whitefield

Staff Sergeant, U. S. Army

Distinguished Service Cross

GENERAL ORDERS: Headquarters, Third U.S. Army, General Orders No. 74 (April 7, 1945)

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 Staff Sergeant Hassell C. Whitefield (ASN: 38098557), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Battery A, 344th Field Artillery Battalion, 90th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 17 January 1945, in Luxembourg. During an enemy attack against the town of Oberwampach, Luxembourg, Staff Sergeant Whitefield helped to establish an artillery observation post in a strategically located position ahead of the infantry. When wire communications were destroyed by intense enemy artillery fire, the Sergeant established a radio post a hundred yards behind the observer, then made repeated trips through intense fire to transmit accurate fire data. Sergeant Whitefield was mortally wounded while courageously performing his duty; but his heroism, his fearless determination and supreme devotion to duty live on as a constant inspiration to his comrades. His actions exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 90th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.