Navy Federal Credit Union

(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 Elmer Darrell Tener (ASN: 39249365), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company G, 2d Battalion, 318th Infantry Regiment, 80th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces near Schetra, Germany, on 10 April 1945. While clearing a town of snipers, Staff Sergeant Tener and his comrades ran into two enemy flank guards. Staff Sergeant Tener knocked out one enemy soldier with the butt of his rifle, and made the other enemy soldier carry him back to American lines. When shots erupted from a nearby house, Staff Sergeant Tener went in through the back door. Inside, he drove the enemy soldiers from one room to another, and finally when his company had the house surrounded, he emerged with 15 German prisoners, two captured burp guns, one bazooka, one grenade launcher, one light machine gun and several boxes of grenades and small arms taken from the cellar. Staff Sergeant Tener’s 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, the 80th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Technician Fourth Grade

    Batallion:

    2d Battalion

    Regiment:

    318th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    80th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    January 21, 1945

    Headquarters, 80th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 49 (February 18, 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 Technician Fourth Grade Elmer D. Tener (ASN: 39249365), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company G, 2d Battalion, 318th Infantry Regiment, 80th Infantry Division in connection with military operations against an enemy of the United States on 21 January 1945 in Luxembourg. In the assault on Burscheid, Luxembourg, on 21 January 1945, Technician Fourth Grade Tener, while crawling ahead of his temporarily delayed company with his rifle knocked one of two enemy flank guards unconscious and forced the other to carry the unconscious man to American lines. Continuing to an enemy defended house he forced entry and drove the occupants to the cellar. The company then advanced and captured fifteen Germans who had taken refuge in the cellar from Technician Fifth Grade Tener’s assault. His bravery, initiative, and constant devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.