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Initials rlr Date 28/8/44 DECORATIONS AND AWARDS BRANCH MILITARY PERSONNEL DIVISION, AGO RECORD OF AWARD OF DECORATION BUY AGENCY OTHER THAN WAR DEPARTMENT
VAN FLEET JAMES 03847 Col Infantry 1st United States Army APO 230 G.O. No. 28 Section 1 Date 20 June 1944 Type of Award D.S.C. Posthumous No By Command of ARMY COMMANDER
CITATION For extraordinary heroism in action against the enemy on 6-8 June 1944, in France. In the initial landing and assault upon the European continent, Colonel Van Fleet quickly organized his troops and pushed them rapidly across the beach in an orderly and determined manner, brushing aside resistance and thereby greatly expediting the early establishment of the Division beachhead. Colonel Van Fleet was always well forward and on numerous occasions personally went up to check his battalions. His superior leadership and personal example of courage aided in clearing the beach with a minimum of casualties and substantially contributed to the rapid advance of the division in its D-Day objective. On 7 June 1944, while the enemy was using observed fire to vigorously shell the highways and avenues of approach in the vicinity of his unit, he displayed cool leadership and skill in maintaining order under severely trying conditions, and did so encourage and inspire confidence in all members of the Combat Team that they followed his example and advanced with no hesitation, and minimum losses of both men and equipment. This was at a critical time when a failure to procure advanced positions would have endangered the success of the operation. On the morning of 8 June 1944, while visiting his frontline battalions, with disregard for his personal safety, he captured an enemy guard and procured important information from him which aided the Regiment in successfully advancing against the enemies strongly entrenched successive positions. The cool fearlessness, personal bravery, and leadership display by Colonel Van Fleet were an inspiration to his men and a great force in their battle success.
Entered military service from FLORIDA.
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Initials fjs Date 2-12-44
DECORATIONS AND AWARDS BRANCH MILITARY PERSONNEL DIVISION, AGO RECORD OF AWARD OF DECORATION BUY AGENCY OTHER THAN WAR DEPARTMENT
TAYLOR GEORGE 014992 Col 16th Infantry 1st U S A APO 230 G.O. No. 31 Section III Date 1 July 1944 Type of Award D S C Posthumous No By Command of LT. COL HODGES
For extraordinary heroism in action against the enemy on 6 June 1944, in France. Colonel Taylor landed during the most crucial and threatening period of the invasion operation. Thousands of men lay huddled on the narrow beachhead, their organizations and leaders cut down by disastrous enemy fire. Without hesitation, unmindful of the sniper and machine gun fire which was sweeping the beach, Colonel Taylor began to reorganize the units. While continuously exposed to this murderous fire, Colonel Taylor never slacking in his efforts in directing and coordinating the attack. By his initiative and leadership, he was able to clear an exit from the beach and began moving groups of men from the crowded beachhead. This was the only exit opened in the early part of the assault and subsequent events proved it to be one of the most vital points contributing to the success of this operation. The high professional skill and outstanding courage is exhibited by Colonel Taylor reflects a great credit on himself and is in keeping with the highest traditions of the Armed Forces.
Entered United States Military Academy from Oklahoma
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Co, 8th Regt, 4th div.
May 2, 1958
Dear General Van Fleet:
A book about D-Day, June 6, 1944, is being prepared by Cornelius Ryan for publication in The Header's Digest and in book form on the 15th Anniversary of the Normandy invasion in the spring of 1959. It is being written with the complete cooperation and assistance of the Department of the Army and the Department of Defense. The book will not be another strategic history of the invasion day, but a story of the twenty-four hours of D-Day as people lived them and remember them. For this, we can only go to the men who were there and, if they are willing, invade their memories. Everywhere, by written and spoken word, we are directed to the part which you played in the invasion, and we therefore hope very much that you will be interested in the project and be willing to help us.
Mr Ryan is presently in Europe trying to get the project under way there. He will return very shortly, and sometime in the late spring and early summer of this year he will take a trip across the country inter- viewing people who have agreed to contribute to the book. He wants very much to talk with you, if you are willing and able to see him, sometime during May or June of this year. In the meantime, we earnestly request your good will and any information or suggestions which you are immedi- ately able to give us. Colonel Chesnutt at the Pentagon, who gave us your address, will be able to assure you that the project has the full endorsement of his office -- and indeed, we could scarcely undertake it without their invaluable assistance.
In Mr. Ryan's absence, I should be most grateful to know as soon as possible when and if you will be available for interview during the next two or three months. We shall look forward very eagerly to your reply. Thank you so very much, sir, for any assistance which you can give us.
Respectfully yours,
Frances Ward Research Department
General James A. Van Fleet Lake Van Aubumdaie, Florida
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LL FLA 7
JAMES ALWARD VANFLEET LAKE VAN, AUBURNDALE, FLORIDA
May 17, 1958 * Miss Prances Ward The Reader's Digest Research Department 230 Park Avenue New York, N.Y.
l Dear Miss Ward:
I am delighted to hear about the book of D-Day, 6 June 1944. I shall be delighted to help in any way I can.
My summer schedule indicates I shall be in New York at the Waldorf Astoria a good part of the time, and perhaps Mr. Ryan and I could get together there.
Sincerely, /James A. Van Fleet General, U.S. Army (Ret.)
P.S. I must apologize for the delay in answering your letter. I have been absent on a trip. JAVF