Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Technical Sergeant

    Regiment:

    120th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    30th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    February 23, 1945

    Headquarters, 30th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 97 (May 7, 1945)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Technical Sergeant William S. Goforth (ASN: 34009048), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 120th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 23 February 1945, in Germany. Technical Sergeant Goforth and four comrades volunteered to take an enemy strongpoint located in a railroad station despite two platoons not being able to capture it. Leaving men to cover their advance, they made their way to a position where the knocked out an enemy automatic weapon. Firing and hurling hand grenades, Technical Sergeant Goforth and his comrades rushed the building through a storm of small arms fire and crashed through the doors. Their sudden assault so startled the enemy that their resistance completely collapsed and thirty-three surrendered. Their gallant actions allowed the attack to continue forward. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Technical Sergeant Goforth, 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.