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The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private Floyd K. Lindstrom (ASN: 37349634), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company H, 2d Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division. On 12 July 1943, at about 1930, the Second Section, Section Platoon of Company H, 7th Infantry Regiment, was traveling by trucks to establish machine gun outposts when the convoy was attacked by four enemy planes. The convoy stopped and everyone dispersed, but he driver of one of the vehicles failed to set the brakes on his trucks. The truck started to roll down a hill toward a man lying in its path and who apparently did not see the danger. Leaving his place of safety, and with complete disregard for the planes strafing and bombing directly overhead, Private Lindstrom ran to the truck and guided it into a bank. This act undoubtedly saved the man’s life and also prevented the truck from rolling over a steep bank with the consequent destruction of both the truck and its load. The truck with its load of heavy machine gun and ammunition enabled the section to successfully complete its mission. 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.

Awards Received

  • Medal of Honor

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Private First Class

    Batallion:

    2d Battalion

    Regiment:

    7th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    3d Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    November 11, 1943
    War Department, General Orders No. 32, April 20, 1944

    The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor (Posthumously) to Private First Class Floyd K. Lindstrom (ASN: 37349634), United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with Company H, 2d Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division. On 11 November 1943, this soldier’s platoon was furnishing machinegun support for a rifle company attacking a hill near Mignano, Italy, when the enemy counterattacked, forcing the riflemen and half the machinegun platoon to retire to a defensive position. Private First Class Lindstrom saw that his small section was alone and outnumbered five-to-one, yet he immediately deployed the few remaining men into position and opened fire with his single gun. The enemy centered fire on him with machinegun, machine pistols, and grenades. Unable to knock out the enemy nest from his original position, Private First Class Lindstrom picked up his own heavy machinegun and staggered 15 yards up the barren, rocky hillside to a new position, completely ignoring enemy small arms fire which was striking all around him. From this new site, only ten yards from the enemy machinegun, he engaged it in an intense duel. Realizing that he could not hit the hostile gunners because they were behind a large rock, he charged uphill under a steady stream of fire, killed both gunners with his pistol and dragged their gun down to his own men, directing them to employ it against the enemy. Disregarding heavy rifle fire, he returned to the enemy machinegun nest for two boxes of ammunition, came back and resumed withering fire from his own gun. His spectacular performance completely broke up the German counterattack. Private First Class Lindstrom demonstrated aggressive spirit and complete fearlessness in the face of almost certain death.