Hero’s of the 7th Infantry Division

[kcmo]

Hero’s of the 7th Infantry Division

 

 Today I wanted to honor the serve of three Soldiers who died fighting in the 7th Infantry Division in WWII.  Two were awarded Posthumously the Distinguished Service Cross and one with the Silver Star.  Citations were pulled from the Home from Hero’s website.  Any additional information on these Soldiers would be welcomed since the archives have not yet reopened.  

 

PFC Nunzio J. Savino was from Chicago, Illinois and served with the 32nd Infantry Regiment until he was Killed in Action fighting in Leyte, Philippines.

 

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 Private First Class Nunzio J. Savino (ASN: 36004547), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with the 32d Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 24 October 1944. Private First Class Savino's 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 7th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.

 

TSG Manford B. Lauderdale was from Siskiyou, California and served in the 17th Infantry Regiment until he was Killed in Action on 9 January 1945.

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 Technical Sergeant Manford B. Lauderdale (ASN: 39078785), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company C, 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 6 December 1944. Technical Sergeant Lauderdale's 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 7th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.

 

PFC Eldridge V. Sorensen was from Page, Nebraska and served with the 17th Infantry Regiment.  He was a veteran of the Aleutian Campaign before he was Killed in Action on Leyte Island on 29 October 1944. I don’t have the citation for the Silver Star yet but it is possible that it was during the action where Private First Class Leonard C. Brostrom was awarded the Medal of Honor (Posthumously) on 27 October where he is noted below.

 

PFC Brostrom with the lead assault platoon of F Company encountered "withering fire from pillboxes, trenches, and enemy spider holes". The Japanese soldiers were well entrenched and camouflaged. Enemy fields of fire were well calculated with criss-crossing machine gun bunkers supported by infantry in trenches. Pfc. Brostrom was hit by enemy weapon fire three times as he fought his way through a bamboo thicket that was part of the enemy line. Brostrom dashed to the rear of a large enemy machine gun bunker/pillbox. During his charge from the bamboo thicket, he was visible not only to the rest of his rifle company, but to the Japanese riflemen shooting at him as well. As he threw several grenades into the bunker, six Japanese infantrymen charged with fixed bayonets. Brostrom was able to kill one soldier and wound others, causing them to retreat. Brostrom was hit a fourth time and fell to the ground. Again, in view of the Americans and Japanese soldiers, he rose to his feet and assaulted the bunker with grenades and rifle fire. The Japanese soldiers ran out of the bunker as Brostrom fell seriously wounded. Staff Sergeant Paul Doty and Pfc's Howard J. Evans and Eldridge V. Sorenson, who had caught up with Brostrom by this time, killed many of the fleeing enemy and called for a company medic. Brostrom was carried to the aid station but succumbed to his wounds.

 

RIP to all Soldiers lost in 7th Infantry Division in WWII.

[tdogchristy90]

That’s a great memorial Shawn, nicely done! 

[scottplen]

Shawn 

super tribute to three brave men.