William J. Wolfgram
Class of 1943
3rd Battalion, 87th Regiment, 10th Mountain Division, Fifth Army, USAFE

Bronze Star w/Valor For heroism during an assault of an enemy held mountain peak near Mt. Della Vedetta, Italy in 1945. 2nd Lieutenant Wolfgram commanded the lead platoon of L Company and remained with the most forward units. They moved forward so aggressively and rapidly in the face of withering enemy fire, that no resistance was able to serious delay this advance. During the attack, Wolfgram continually inspired his men and risked his life on numerous occasions as he coordinated and directed his men.

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Bill Nurthen
Class of 1943
1st Battalion, 20th Infantry, 10th Armored Division, USAFE

Silver Star for gallantry in action at Schwerdorf German where he braved intense enemy artillery and small arms fire during a patrol.

Bronze Star for heroism during an assault against a determined enemy which resulted in the recovery of eight disabled tanks

 

George Wilkens
Class of 1943
3rd Battalion, 398th Infantry Regiment, 100th Infantry Division, USAFE

Silver Star (Posthumously) for conspicuous gallantry while leading a combat patrol toward enemy territory at midnight on 1 March 1945. Lt. Wilkens encountered a hostile mine field and ordered his men to retrace their steps. When an alternate route was found, he instructed the members of the patrol to remain behind while he moved forward alone to reconnoiter. In so doing he was killed by the detonation of a mine, thus saving the lives of his comrades.

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Joe LoPrete
Class of 1942
2nd Battalion, 24th Marines, 4th Marine Division, FMF, Pacific

Silver Star for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a Leader of an Assault and Demolitions Platoon of the Second Battalion on Iwo Jima.

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William E. Dudley
Class of 1942
1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division, USAFE

Silver Star for gallantry and skillful leadership while Encountering heavy machine gun and sniper fire while cleaning out Gilmore Street in the New Manila Subdivision, Philippines.

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Robert S. Currier
Class of 1942
1st Battalion (Airborne), 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, USAFE

Silver Star for gallantry in action against the enemy in and around Nijmegen, Holland

Thomas N. Merendino
Class of 1941
1st Battalion, 16th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division, USAFE

Distinguished Service Cross Capt Merendino disembarked from the landing craft in the initial assault wave and with complete disregard for his own safety, hastily organized the men who were struggling in the water and led them through the intense enemy to the shore. Upon reaching the shore, he refused to take cover and again organized an assault group for further advance.

Silver Star for gallantry during the Oran offensive (November 1942), Lieutenant Merendino directed the fire of his self-propelled 105-mm. howitzer upon an enemy stronghold. Observing that this fire failed to dislodge the enemy, Merendino ordered his vehicle to ram the stone wall which the enemy was using as cover. He then dismounted from his vehicle and, with the aid of one man, succeeded in taking twenty prisoners.

Silver Star (Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster) for gallantry during a fire fight near Nicemi, Sicily (July 1943),

During an engagement with enemy forces near Nicemi Sicily in July 1943. Lieutenant Merendino, during a night attack on his position, and without regard for his own safety, demonstrated leadership, devotion to duty, and selfless actions by rescuing wounded occupants of a damaged vehicle in the midst of a large storage area containing high octane gasoline and ammunition. The large ammunition and gasoline supplies, being hit by enemy artillery began to burn and explode, and the men and vehicles trapped in both the area and individual vehicles. The enemy fire grew in intensity and accuracy, as enemy batteries, used the blazing fires to correct and adjust their artillery fires. After aiding the wounded occupants of the vehicle, without the least regard for his personal safety, went to the rescue of his men, who were dispersed in the staging area.. Time and time again he went through the flaming cauldron to carry out burned and wounded men. He continued his rescue efforts with the aid of several of his men until all the casualties and salvageable equipment were removed to safety and the enemy fires were suppressed.

Bronze Star for heroic achievement In Tunisia (March 1943).

For heroism in ground combat in Tunisia in March 1943 against an attacking superior-sized enemy force. During a movement to contact a superior enemy force was contracted and immediately began an aggressive counter-attack. Although exposed to heavy direct and indirect fires, Lieutenant Merendino skillfully placed his attached self-propelled howitzers in a strategic position that provided an effective counter-battery fires which were instrumental in breaking the enemy action. The break permitted his unit to withdraw to more favorable terrain and assume a more dominant positioning. Lieutenant Merindino’s valorous actions and quick thinking were key to the minimization of causalities and loss of equipment.

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Russ Freas
Class of 1941
1st Battalion, 423rd Infantry Regiment, 106th Infantry Division, USAFE

Silver Star for his heroic actions while leading an attack on the German held town of Bleialf at the start of the Battle of the Bulge.

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James R. Spurrier
Class of 1940
1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division, USAFFE

Silver Star for gallantry while leading his troops in an attack of a strongly entrenched Japanese position.

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