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 (Armor) George Edward Wagoner (ASN: 0-1824541), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action against the enemy while serving with the 747th Tank Battalion, attached to the 4th Infantry Division, in action on 8 July 1944, in Frane. As the commander of a tank force moving in to capture the city of St. Lo, First Lieutenant Wagoner, in the lead tank, took his platoon, completely unescorted, into the city in the face of heavy anti-tank, bazooka and artillery fire, moved out to his objective beyond the center of the city, took up fire positions, reduced road blocks and killed and rounded up enemy infantry. This was accomplished without the aid of infantry or any other supporting arms for 20 minutes in this hostile and heavily defended sector. When, under artillery fire and in the duel with an 88-mm. gun, his gun failed to fire, First Lieutenant Wagoner, with no thought for his own safety, dismounted from the tank, moved around in front of it and, completely exposing himself, removed the round with a rammer staff. He stayed in the town 2 1/2 hours after he was to have been relieved in order to make sure that a threatened counterattack did not imperil the hard won city and, on several occasions, he dismounted from his tank and walked through the city to check the fire positions of his subordinates. While so doing, he was painfully wounded by an explosion from an enemy hand grenade but carried on until the completion of his mission. The valorous action of First Lieutenant Wagoner, above and beyond the call of duty, assured the capture of the city of St, Lo and inspired all who witnessed his acts.

(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 First Lieutenant (Armor) George Edward Wagoner, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with the 747th Tank Battalion, attached to the 4th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces in the vicinity of St. Lo, France, on 8 July 1944. First Lieutenant Wagoner’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 and the United States Army.