The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant (Infantry) [then Staff Sergeant] Shelby Speights (ASN: 0-2006899), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company C, 142d Infantry Regiment, 36th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 14 November 1944 in France. When an enemy patrol attacked elements of the 3d Platoon, Sergeant Speights, a squad leader, immediately went forward to take command of the situation. As he approached the battle area, he was suddenly attacked by the enemy patrol leader. Although unarmed he wrestled the rifle from his assistant and, using the rifle as a club, killed him. The loss of their leader disorganized the hostile soldiers, and Sergeant Speights swiftly rallied his men to repel the attack. As a result of his aggressive leadership, six of the enemy were killed, several others were wounded and the remainder were forced to withdraw. 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, his unit, and the United States Army.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Fourth Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fifth Award of the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant (Infantry) [then Staff Sergeant] Shelby Speights (ASN: 0-2006899), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company C, 142d Infantry Regiment, 36th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 13 December 1944 in France. Sergeant Speights, acting guide of the 3d Platoon of Company C, was assigned the mission of establishing an outpost 300 yards beyond his platoon’s position to protect the battalion’s left flank against enemy infiltration. He advanced to the designated area and placed his four men in defensive positions in a house. During the night, a large hostile force stealthily surrounded the outpost and cut the communication line to the remainder of the platoon. Discovering the perilous situation, Sergeant Speights led his men in an assault against the enemy troops in an attempt to rejoin his unit. Upon regaining contact with the platoon command post, he immediately directed accurate artillery fire on the hostile force, disorganizing and delaying the attackers. Then, acting without orders, he guided four tanks through heavy small arms and artillery fire to a favorable position and there directed their fire on enemy strong points. As a result of his daring and resourcefulness, the hostile attempt to infiltrate the battalion’s flank was frustrated and the enemy assault was repelled. 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, his unit, and the United States Army.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant Shelby Speights (ASN: 0-2006899), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company C, 142d Infantry Regiment, 36th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 26 November 1944 in France. The 3d Platoon of Company C, supported by two tanks, was advancing along a street towards its objective when, upon rounding a curve which obstructed the view of the route of advance, it was subjected to direct fire from two enemy tanks. The heavy tank fire delayed the platoon’s advance and forced the friendly troops to take cover. Instantly cognizant of serious threat to the safety of his comrades, Sergeant Speights seized a roll of communication wire and a telephone and moved straight through the hostile fire to the other side of the street, laying a wire line as he advanced. Swiftly establishing communications, he directed effective fire on the enemy, scoring a direct hit on the lead tank and forcing the crew members of the second tank to abandon their vehicles and flee. He then directed the friendly tanks, which were supporting his platoon to a position from which they could deliver effective fire on the hostile soldiers still resisting the unit’s advance. The accurate tank fire swiftly neutralized all opposition. As a result of Sergeant Speights’ quick-thinking and daring aggressiveness, his platoon was able to continue its advance and capture its objective with a minimum of casualties. 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, his unit, and the United States Army.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant (Infantry) [then Staff Sergeant] Shelby Speights (ASN: 0-2006899), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company C, 142d Infantry Regiment, 36th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 9 January 1945 in France. When enemy troops threatened to overrun Company B’s defenses, Sergeant Speights, a Platoon Leader in Company C, advanced with his men down a mined road under heavy enemy artillery fire to help drive back the attackers. Approaching a hostile observation post through a wooded sector, he braved heavy automatic weapons fire to direct elements of the platoon into more advantageous firing positions. After killing or wounding all members of the observation post group, the platoon advanced to attack the well-camouflaged positions occupied by the main body of the enemy. Exposing himself to machine gun and automatic weapons fire, Sergeant Speights moved to the front of his men and directed them in firing against the hostile force. Spotting five enemy soldiers feigning death, he immediately opened fire and frustrated their attempt to ambush the platoon. Largely as a result of his skillful and aggressive leadership, 37 of the enemy were killed and 30 were captured without a single casualty to the platoon. 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, his unit, and the United States Army.