Oscar L. Queen

Private 1st Class, U. S. Army

Silver Star

GENERAL ORDERS:
Headquarters, 82d Airborne Division, General Orders No. 29 (August 20, 1943)
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private Oscar L. Queen (ASN: 18012246), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company A, 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, in action on 9 July 1943, five miles west of ****, Sicily.
An attack was launched on a fortified garrison by Private Queen's unit, during which Private Queen after a hand-to-hand fight with two enemy soldiers, captured a light machine gun. Immediately following this action, a counter-attack was launched by the **** on the position and, under heavy artillery fire, the unit was forced to withdraw. Private Queen and Lieutenant Gordon volunteered to stay in position until their unit completed withdrawal. Private Queen and Lieutenant Gordon manned their post with enemy machine guns until another assault was made by the enemy. Seeing that their unit had by this time contacted friendly forces, Private Queen and Lieutenant Gordon, although surrounded, began to withdraw. Lieutenant Gordon was killed. By passing through enemy lines, Private Queen was able to rejoin his unit.
His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.

GENERAL ORDERS:
Headquarters, 82d Airborne Division, General Orders No. 47 (August 19, 1944)
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Private First Class Oscar L. Queen (ASN: 18012246), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company A, 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, in action against the enemy at Normandy, France, on 7 June 1944.
His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.