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The 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 [then Private First Class] Dean V. Waldo (ASN: 36293499), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company I, 411th Infantry Regiment, 103d Infantry Division. On 16 November 1944, near LaBolle, France, when his platoon became isolated from the company by heavy enemy machine gun, mortar, artillery and small arms fire, Sergeant Waldo voluntarily moved forward to find a route by which the platoon could rejoin the company. Discovering a well dug-in position manned by six of the enemy, he immediately opened fire, killing five and wounding another. Although painfully wounded in the shoulder and stunned by a grenade blast, he returned and informed his platoon commander of the cleared route. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Staff Sergeant [then Sergeant]

    Regiment:

    411th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    103d Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    March 15, 1945
    Headquarters, 103d Infantry Division, General Orders No. 156 (May 31, 1945)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant [then Sergeant] Dean V. Waldo (ASN: 36293499), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company I, 411th Infantry Regiment, 103d Infantry Division. On 15 March 1945, Company I was temporarily halted on its advance toward Muhlhausen, France, by two concealed enemy machine gun emplacements. Sergeant Waldo, observing that the slightest movement drew heavy enemy fire and that casualties were being sustained, crawled forward into a nearby shell hole and located the two hostile emplacements. Removing all his equipment and grabbing two hand grenades he rushed one hostile emplacement, throwing the grenades. The boldness of his attack wounded one of the enemy and stunned the balance of the crew into surrender. Unarmed he dashed to the rear of the second emplacement and demanded they surrender or be grenaded. The armed crew having witnessed the destruction of the adjacent emplacement surrendered without resistance. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.