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First Lieutenant Delbert Reck and Staff Sergeant Edward J. Land of the 1st Platoon of Company A, both received the Distinguished Service Cross for their individual leadership and heroism on the same day in the same action. Edward Land received a battlefield commission as a Second Lieutenant. After the war, he remained in the Army Reserve and retired as a Major.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Staff Sergeant

    Batallion:

    773d Tank Destroyer Battalion

    Division:

    90th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    August 20, 1944

    Headquarters, THIRD U.S. Army, General Orders No. 94 (November 20, 1944)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: 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 Edward J. Land, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company A, 773d Tank Destroyer Battalion, 90th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces at the Argentan-Falaise Gap, near Le Bourg-St. Leonard, France, on 20 August 1944. On that day, Staff Sergeant Land’s unit was in action against German forces at the southern tip of the Falaise pocket outside Argentan, France. Between 0900 and 1300 hours a desperate German force made a futile attempt to escape southwest of Chambojs, near Hill 129. Company C’s platoon ran out of ammunition and the 1st platoon of Company A was dispatched to relieve them. Nearing Hill 129, the 1st platoon unexpectedly came face-to-face with a mixed column of German tanks and vehicles. At point-blank range and under a hail of fire, they slugged it out for three hours. The leadership, courageous actions and extraordinary heroism displayed by Staff Sergeant Land exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.