81st Infantry Division Archive
Distinguished Service Cross
TSGT Frank J. Becker,
Company L, 322nd Infantry Regiment
Distinguished Service Cross
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 Frank James Becker, 31042767, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company L, 3d Battalion, 322d Infantry Regiment, 81st Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on Angaur Island, Palau, from 1 to 21 October 1944. Technical Sergeant Becker’s extraordinary heroism, 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 81st Infantry Division, and the United States Army.
TSGT Frank J. Becker, was killed in action on 14 October 1944. He was manning a night outpost in an attempt to ambush enemy soldiers infiltrating through out the night to the lake in the Bowl Area for water. During the night, TSGT Becker, left his position to defecate. He was shot and killed by an adjacent friendly outpost.
PVT Marion Clark
Company L, 322nd Infantry, Regiment
Distinguished Service Cross
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 Marion Clark (ASN: 34124666), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company L, 3d Battalion, 322d Infantry Regiment, 81st Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on Angaur Island, Palau, on 29 September 1944. Private Clark’s extraordinary heroism, 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 81st Infantry Division, and the United States Army.
PVT Marion Clark, was killed in action 29 September 1944 during an attack on an enemy position in the northwest portion of Angaur Island. His platoon was receiving intense machine gun fire on the right flank. In an attempt to knock the enemy machine gun out he was hit and instantly killed by the same machine gun.
LT Colonel Raymond S. Gates,
323rd Infantry Regiment
Distinguished Service Cross
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 Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) Raymond S. Gates (ASN: 0-230904), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Commanding Officer of the 1st Battalion, 323d Infantry Regiment, 81st Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces from 14 October 1944 to 17 November 1944, at Peleliu Island. Colonel Gates was daily in the front lines of his companies in order to secure first-hand information of his own and the enemy situation. On 26 October when a Japanese booby trap exploded and caused numerous casualties, Colonel Gates refused to leave the area, which was then under heavy enemy fire, until complete evacuation was accomplished. Later, disregarding the Japanese snipers who had killed several officers and men at his side he personally directed the preparation of critical demolitions. In the ensuing days of hard fighting against determined enemy resistance, Colonel Gates consistently remained with the forward elements of his troops until he was shot in the head and killed. His devotion to duty, bold leadership, and extreme self-sacrifice were an inspiration and will be a lasting memory to all who knew him. Lieutenant Colonel Gates’ extraordinary heroism, 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 81st Infantry Division, and the United States Army.
TSGT Joseph A. Miller
Cannon Company, 321st Infantry Regiment
Distinguished Service Cross
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Technical Sergeant Joseph A. Miller, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Cannon Company, 321st Infantry Regiment, 81st Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces at Peleliu, in the Southwest Pacific Theater of Operations, on 28 September 1944. Technical Sergeant Miller’s extraordinary heroism, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.
SSGT Henry M. Myers
Company B, 306th Engineer Battalion
Distinguished Service Cross
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Staff Sergeant Henry M. Myers, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company B, 306th Engineer Combat Battalion, 81st Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces an Anguar Island, Palau, on 17 September 1944. Staff Sergeant Myers’ extraordinary heroism, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.
PVT Jett R. Rhodes,
Company A, 306th Engineer Battalion
Distinguished Service Cross
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Private Jett Robert Rhodes (ASN: 39027048), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company A, 303d Engineer Combat Battalion, 78th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on Peleliu Island, Palau, on 17 October 1944. Private Rhodes’ extraordinary heroism, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.
PFC Clarence W. White,
Company K, 321st Infantry Regiment
Distinguished Service Cross
Soldiers Medal
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 Clarence W. White (ASN: 39243724), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company K, 3d Battalion, 321st Infantry Regiment, 81st Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on Angaur Island, Palau, on 19 September 1944. Private First Class White’s extraordinary heroism, 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 and the United States Army.
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Soldier’s Medal to Private Clarence W. White (ASN: 39243724), United States Army, for heroism not involving actual conflict with an enemy of the United States while serving with gallantry in action while serving with Company K, 3d Battalion, 321st Infantry Regiment, 81st Infantry Division during World War II. Two soldiers, attired in full battle dress, stepped from a landing craft into 25-foot water. Neither was able to loosen the heavy equipment, and started to sink. Private White, who had reached shore in another landing craft, immediately went to their assistance. With the aid of another soldier, who dived from the boat, both men were dragged ashore. The exemplary courage and heroism displayed by Private White reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.
