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 Lieutenant Colonel (Field Artillery) Louis Victor Hightower (ASN: 0-18502), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with the 1st Armored Regiment, 1st Armored Division, in action against enemy forces on 14 February 1943, near Sidi Bou Zid, Tunisia. Lieutenant Colonel Hightower and his tank crew received word that seven enemy tanks were attacking a command post and artillery vehicles which were withdrawing to a new position. His was the only friendly tank in the vicinity but without hesitation, he moved it to protect the helpless unarmored vehicles, and engaged the enemy tanks unaided and alone. After destroying four of the enemy tanks and securing the withdrawal of the friendly column, his own tank received four heavy shots and was set afire. He evacuated the crew and brought them on foot to the friendly defensive position. But for the prompt and heroic action of Lieutenant Colonel Hightower and his tank crew, the command post and a battery of artillery would have been overrun by hostile tanks. His extraordinary heroism, self-sacrifice and devotion to duty is an inspiration to all, worthy of the finest traditions of the Armed Forces and deserving of the highest praise.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
-
Legion of Merit
-
Legion of Merit
-
Army Distinguished Service Medal
-
Silver Star
-
Silver Star
-
Legion of Merit
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Lieutenant Colonel (Field Artillery)Regiment:
1st Armored RegimentDivision:
1st Armored DivisionAction Date:
1942 – 1943
Unites States Military Academy Register of Graduates(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant Colonel (Field Artillery) Louis Victor Hightower (ASN: 0-18502), United States Army, was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding Officer of a Field Artillery Battalion of the 1st Armored Regiment, 1st Armored Division, from 1942 to 1943.
-
Legion of Merit
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Major GeneralDivision:
2d Infantry DivisionAction Date:
1953 – 1954
Unites States Military Academy Register of Graduates(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major General Louis Victor Hightower (ASN: 0-18502), United States Army, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Chief of Staff, 2d Infantry Division, from 1953 to 1954.
-
Army Distinguished Service Medal
Department of the Army, General Orders No. 46 (October 23, 1963)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Major General Louis Victor Hightower (ASN: 0-18502), United States Army, for eminently meritorious service to the Government while serving in successive positions of great responsibility from August 1954 to September 1963. During this period General Hightower served consecutively as Chief, Organization and Training Division, Office, Assistant Chief of Staff, G-3, Headquarters, Department of the Army; Chief of Staff, and later Deputy Commanding General, United States Army Caribbean, Fort Amador, Canal Zone, Senior Army Member, Military Studies and Liaison Division, Weapons Systems Evaluation Group, Office of the Director of Defense Research and Engineering, Office of the Secretary of Defense; Chief of Staff, Combined Military Planning Staff, Central Treaty Organization International Staff, United States Army, Europe, concurrently as Deputy Commanding General, United States Army, Ryukyu Islands and IX Corps, Ryukyu Islands, Pacific Command; and as Assistant Deputy Commanding General, Training and Readiness, United States Continental Army Command, Fort Monroe, Virginia. General Hightower demonstrated decisive leadership, professional competence, and a thorough knowledge of tactics, strategy, and administration. With extensive military experience, keen analytical ability, and professional acumen, he developed important Army mobilization plans and policies, and effectively participated in the development of significant joint doctrines and procedures. His comprehensive guidance and profound understanding of military and world subjects were reflected in the harmonious relationships which he engendered between the United States and Latin American countries. Through his devotion to duty, broad military knowledge, and unique ability to provide timely solutions to challenging problems, he ably directed large scale fleet tests which materially enhanced the readiness and combat capability of the military forces of the Nation. General Hightower’s distinguished performance of duty throughout this period represents outstanding achievement in the most honored and cherished traditions of the United States Army and reflects the utmost credit upon himself and the military service.
-
Silver Star
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Lieutenant Colonel (Field Artillery)Regiment:
1st Armored RegimentDivision:
1st Armored DivisionAction Date:
February 1, 1943
Headquarters, 1st Armored Division, General Orders No. 16 (1943)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel (Field Artillery) Louis Victor Hightower (ASN: 0-18502), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 1st Armored Regiment, 1st Armored Division. On 1 February 1943, he distinguished himself in action against an armed enemy near Rebaou, Tunisia. His battalion was attacking the enemy position and in order to control the battle, he occupied an exposed forward position under heavy enemy artillery fire. With complete disregard for his own welfare he continued from the position to direct the fire of his own battalion and the supporting artillery. The courage, devotion to duty and calm, gallant leadership displayed by Lieutenant Colonel Hightower reflect great credit upon the command and are deserving of the highest praise. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Lieutenant Colonel Hightower, 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.
-
Silver Star
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Colonel (Field Artillery)Regiment:
1st Armored RegimentDivision:
1st Armored DivisionAction Date:
June 6, 1944
Headquarters, 1st Armored Division, General Orders No. 79 (1944)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 Colonel (Field Artillery) Louis Victor Hightower (ASN: 0-18502), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving as Commanding Officer of the 1st Armored Regiment, 1st Armored Division, in action on 6 June 1944 in Italy. When it became apparent that the enemy was hard-pressed and that an acceleration of our pursuit was necessary to forestall enemy rear-guard demolitions, Colonel Hightower, who was traveling with the forward tank elements, although he had no tactical command in the operation and thus was under no obligation to expose himself, immediately took personal lead of the pursuing column. With complete disregard for his own safety, he moved in the lead of the advancing tanks, sometimes alone on foot several hundred yards ahead of the lead tank, sometimes in a peep sometimes riding on top of one of the lead tanks. He continued in this fashion for several miles, and greatly increased the speed of the pursuit by his conduct and example, until he was wounded when the tank on top of which he was riding was hit by an anti-tank gun. The gallantry, initiative and leadership of Colonel Hightower over and beyond the call of duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of Military Service and worthy of the highest praise.