Herbert Moss Mills
Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army

Herbert Moss Mills was a graduate of the A&M College of Texas (now Texas A&M University) in 1939 with a degree in Agriculture.

In November 1944, Lieutenant Colonel Herbert Moss Mills was serving as Commanding Officer, 1st Battalion, 33rd Armored Regiment, 3rd Armored Division, First U.S. Army, in the European Theater of Operations.

During 16-18 November, LTC Mills’ 1st Battalion was in action against German forces at Scherpenseel and Hastenrath, Germany, during the Siegfried Line Campaign. LTC Mills was leading his task force over difficult terrain, across dense minefields and through devastating enemy fire to secure a vital objective. On the initial day of the assault, one of his tanks was hit and blocked the advance of the column through a lane that had been cleared of mines. LTC Mills dismounted from his tank and personally directed engineers in clearing another lane, then led his force through the minefield. While reorganizing his position, a shell struck within a few feet of LTC Mills, causing a severe strain of his right leg. Despite the pain, LTC Mills refused medical aid and continued his personal reconnaissance on foot in order to improve his positions. Although he lost all the officers of his medium tank companies and 33 tanks, LTC Mills kept his force organized and, despite fanatical opposition by the Germans, captured his objective without infantry support. While LTC Mills was in the process of communicating with higher headquarters to report that his mission had been achieved, a shell struck the building above his tank and fatally wounded him. LTC Mills’ outstanding leadership, brilliant tactics and extraordinary heroism during this period earned him, at the cost of his life, the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Silver Star Medal
Bronze Star Medal (Merit)
Purple Heart
American Defense Service Medal
American Campaign Medal
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with Arrowhead Pin and 3 Bronze Stars
World War II Victory Medal
Croix de Guerre with Silver Star (France)
Presidential Unit Citation

Distinguished Service Cross Citation (Synopsis)

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Herbert M. Mills (0-380638), Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with the 33d Armored Regiment, 3d Armored Division, in action against enemy forces from 16 to 18 November 1944. Lieutenant Colonel Mills' 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, the 3d Armored Division, and the United States Army.

Headquarters, First U.S. Army, General Orders No. 17 (1945)

Burial

Lieutenant Colonel Herbert Moss Mills is buried at the Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery and Memorial in Henri-Chapelle, Arrondissement de Verviers, Liège, Belgium in Plot A, Row 6, Grave 38.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56283836/herbert-moss-mills