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 Edward F. Tatara (ASN: 33272072), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company G, 2d Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, in action against the enemy in Normandy, France, on 6 June 1944. 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 and the United States Army.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Distinguished Service Cross
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Silver Star
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Sergeant [then Corporal]Batallion:
2d BattalionRegiment:
16th Infantry RegimentDivision:
1st Infantry DivisionAction Date:
World War II
Headquarters, 1st Infantry Division, General Orders No. 65 (November 26, 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 Sergeant [then Corporal] Edward F. Tatara (ASN: 33272072), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company G, 2d Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, in action against the enemy in Sicily during the period from July through October 1943. When strong enemy forces threatened to outflank his company and it became necessary to withdraw to more tenable positions, Sergeant Tatara was assigned the difficult mission of protecting the withdrawal. Although subjected to direct enemy fire throughout this action, he remained in an exposed position and skillfully fired his weapon until his company had completely evacuated. 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 and the United States Army.
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Distinguished Service Cross
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Staff SergeantBatallion:
2d BattalionRegiment:
16th Infantry RegimentDivision:
1st Infantry DivisionAction Date:
September 16, 1944
Headquarters, European Theater of Operations, U.S. Army, General Orders No. 97 (May 21, 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 Staff Sergeant Edward F. Tatara (ASN: 33272072), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company G, 2d Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces in France, on 16 September 1944. Sergeant Tatara, during a powerful enemy attack, moved across fire-swept terrain and engaged an enemy machine gun with his rifle, killing twenty-three of the enemy. Assembling five men, he assaulted the hostile position and killed the twelve remaining soldiers therein. When ammunition was needed for his squad, Sergeant Tatara braved four machine guns and a company of hostile riflemen to obtain it, and, in doing so, enabled his squad to repel two more desperate enemy attacks. Sergeant Tatara’s uncompromising devotion to duty was almost single-handedly responsible for transforming an impending tragic defeat into a glorious and complete victory. The personal bravery, determination and devotion to duty of Staff Sergeant Tatara reflects great credit on himself and on the Armed Forces.