Gerald Seth Tate

Major, U. S. Army

Silver Star

GENERAL ORDERS:
Headquarters, 42d Infantry Division, General Orders No. 72 (1945)
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 Captain (Infantry) Gerald S. Tate (ASN: 0-1384236), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Headquarters, 42d Infantry Division, in action on 8 January 1945 near Ingolsheim, France.
Captain Tate was commanding Company D, 222nd Infantry in support of the 1st Battalion outpost in the vicinity of Ingolsheim, France, when the enemy launched an attack. While reconnoitering for switch positions for his weapons, Captain Tate was trapped in the open snow by a heavy concentration of 120 mm mortar fire. Although the shells landed so close to him and with such impact that he was repeatedly knocked off his feet and almost blinded by the concussion, he refused to leave and continued to carry out his mission. Constantly moving from the outpost line to the main line of resistance he remained with his men for three days until he was again subjected to an intense enemy bombardment and was ordered by his Battalion Commander to be evacuated.
The courageous leadership and unflinching devotion to duty exhibited by Captain Tate inspired his men grimly to hold their positions against overwhelming odds and reflect distinct credit upon himself and the armed services of the United States.