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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 Second Lieutenant (Infantry) Anthony F. Daskevich (ASN: 0-1692601), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company C, 753d Tank Battalion, 63d Infantry Division, in action on 23 March 1945, in the vicinity of Leimersheim, Germany. Lieutenant Daskevich was leading his platoon in a night attack on a German town, when his tank was hit by direct enemy fire from a self-propelled gun, immobilizing it and destroying radio communications. While his crew volunteered to man the tank’s guns, Lieutenant Daskevich successfully ran to his other tanks and, under heavy enemy small arms fire, led them on foot, to firing positions. Under his direction they fires on the enemy gun, forcing it to withdraw. Returning to his tank which was burning from another hit, he entered the tank to determine if all his crew had been safely evacuated. He then made a foot reconnaissance, and finding no other enemy guns, ordered his tanks into the town where he directed them in clearing it of the enemy. The intrepidity with which Lieutenant Daskevich performed this heroic act was an inspiration to all those under him and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Armor)

    Batallion:

    753d Tank Battalion

    Division:

    63d Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    March 8, 1945
    Headquarters, 63d Infantry Division, General Orders No. 542 (August 16, 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 First Lieutenant (Armor) Anthony F. Daskevich (ASN: 0-1692601), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company C, 753d Tank Battalion, 63d Infantry Division, in action on 8 March 1945, in the vicinity of Kressbach, Germany. After skillfully leading his platoon as support for attacking infantry units, Lieutenant Daskevich outposted with his tanks and approaches to the town. Under cover of darkness, when the enemy began infiltrating with Panzerfausts and machine guns, he went out in the face of heavy fire and ran from tank to tank, encouraging the men and leading them in fighting off the enemy with grenades and small arms fire. Strongly outnumbered by the enemy, a withdrawal became necessary and Lieutenant Daskevich courageously remained with his tank in the town, covering the friendly forces until they had safely withdrawn. When the enemy cut the main route of withdrawal, he reconnoitered an alternate route on foot and led the last elements out of the town over this route under heavy small arms fire. The initiative and determination displayed by Lieutenant Daskevich is in keeping with the finest traditions of the Armed Forces of the United States.

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Infantry)

    Batallion:

    753d Tank Battalion (Separate)

    Division:

    36th Infantry Division (Attached)

    Action Date:

    April 7 & 8, 1945
    Headquarters, SEVENTH U.S. Army, General Orders No. 622 (October 18, 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 First Lieutenant (Infantry) Anthony F. Daskevich (ASN: ASN: 0-1692601), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company C, 753d Tank Battalion (Separate), attached to the 63d Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 7 and 8 April 1945, in the vicinity of Kressbach, Germany. Having aided in seizing a German Town, Lieutenant Daskevich was outposting his tanks when enemy bazooka teams infiltrated under the cover of a heavy artillery barrage. Braving murderous machine gun fire to contact his crews, he helped rout the enemy with small arms fire and grenades, then remained in the town covering friendly forces while they maneuvered. The following day while moving his tank to a dangerously exposed position, he forced an enemy self-propelled gun to withdraw and silenced a flak wagon. The courageous actions of Lieutenant Daskevich enabled friendly forces to successfully seize their objective. His 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.