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 William Howard Crabtree, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company G, 2d Battalion, 119th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces in Germany, on 18 October 1944. Staff Sergeant Crabtree was at an observer’s post in a German town when his gun was guarding the approach to his battalion’s station. Two shells came in, driving Staff Sergeant Crabtree from his post, but suspecting trouble, he crawled back up the stairs of the house where he was stationed, and saw three German Mark IV tanks approaching. Summoning one of his men, he dashed to the gun. A German shell came in, knocking one wheel off the gun and slightly wounding him, but the two men put three shells in the lead tank, destroying it and causing the other two to retreat. When the threat of the tank attack had passed, Staff Sergeant Crabtree went forward with a platoon leader to have a better look at the situation. Four hundred yards away, eight Germans were leaving a pillbox, and the two killed or wounded the entire group. Staff Sergeant Crabtree’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, the 30th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.
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Awards Received
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Distinguished Service Cross
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Silver Star
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Distinguished Service Cross
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Staff SergeantBatallion:
2nd BattalionRegiment:
119th Infantry RegimentDivision:
30th Infantry DivisionAction Date:
October 18, 1944
Headquarters, NINTH U.S. Army, General Orders No. 143 (May 5, 1945)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 William Howard Crabtree, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company G, 2nd Battalion, 119th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces in Germany, on 18 October 1944. Staff Sergeant Crabtree fearlessly remained at his observation post even though he had been wounded and part of his 57-mm. gun destroyed. During a lull caused by his effective fire which knocked out an enemy tank. Staff Sergeant Crabtree moved forward about one hundred yards for better observation. Observing eight enemy soldiers leaving a pillbox, Staff Sergeant Crabtree and another soldier opened fire with their rifles and killed or wounded the entire group. Despite his wound, Staff Sergeant Crabtree remained in his advanced position until the enemy counterattack had been repulsed.
Staff Sergeant Crabtree’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, the 30th Infantry Division, and the United States Army. -
Silver Star
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Staff SergeantBatallion:
2d BattalionRegiment:
119th Infantry RegimentDivision:
30th Infantry DivisionAction Date:
October 17, 1944
“Work Horse of the Western Front – The Story of the 30th Infantry Division” By Robert L. HewittThe President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant William Howard Crabtree, United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company G, 2d Battalion, 119th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 17 October 1944, in Germany. Staff Sergeant Crabtree went out to locate a route over which he could move his anti-tank gun to support an adjacent battalion. Although he was hampered by rain and enemy fire, he located the unit and a suitable route. Returning to his squad, he directed and aided in moving the gun. Heavy fire was encountered and, at one point, he directed his men in setting up the gun and returning fire on an enemy tank, silencing it. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Staff Sergeant Crabtree, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.