[Taltarzac725]

Might be of interest. This man was my Uncle whose wife visited the Villages quite often before she passed.

He was a small town hero in a suburb of Chicago.

His extended family did not even know about this Silver Star as he kept it up in the attic. They found it years after he died when they were preparing to sell their home after my Aunt passed away.

Headquarters 1st Armored Division
A.P.O. 251, U.S. Army
6 December 1944
AG 200.6
Subject: Award of Silver Star
To: First Lieutenant William Elsberg, 01014823, U.S. Army
William Elsberg, 01014823, First Lieutenant, Infantry (Armd), United States Army. For gallantry in action during the period 29 May 1944 to 28 June 1944 in the vicinity of Velletri and Massa Marittima, Italy. On May 29 1944 in the vicinity of Velletri, Italy, First Lieutenant Elsberg led six men of his platoon in an attack on an enemy strong point in and around a strongly defended house which was hindering the advance of our troops. Stationing his men in cover positions, he crawled through the wheat field under heavy rifle, machine gun and mortar fire of the enemy, who witnessed his movements, and tossed a hand grenade through a window of the building forcing out thirty-one of the enemy. A larger group of enemy troops counterattacked to free the prisoners, but, due to the First Lieutenant Elsberg's leadership, moving among men while under fire, spacing them, and maintaining fire control, the attack was beaten off. First Lieutenant Elsberg continued outstanding performance of duty until 28 June 1944 at which time he was seriously wounded, resulting in the loss of his left arm and leg from direct machine gun and artillery fire, while leading his platoon in an attack south of Massa Magritta, Italy. First Lieutenant Elsberg's constant efforts to observe positions of enemy artillery during shelling barrages was responsible for elimination of many of these positions. His example of courage, tactical skill, aggressive leadership, and disregard for his own welfare reflects the finest tradition of the armed forces and is deserving of the highest praise. Entered service from Chicago, Illinois.
M.W. Daniel
Brigadier General, U.S. Army,
Commanding.
Distribution:
4- 0 Concerned
1- 0 201 File
1- AG File