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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 First Lieutenant (Infantry) Sidney K. Strong (ASN: 0-440501), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 35th Infantry Division, in action near *** Normandy, France, on 13 July 1944. Lieutenant Strong performed his duties as Company Executive Officer in the action against *** in an outstanding manner. In addition, on 13 July when his organization had become weakened by casualties he organized a provisional platoon and successfully led it in an assault where previous attacks had failed. The attack was made over fields covered by enemy machine gun fire from emplacements in hedgerows. On two occasions during the attack when his platoon was held down by enemy fire, Lieutenant Strong, at the risk of his own life, moved in exposed positions to points where he could locate the enemy fire and point out the enemy positions as targets for his own troops. His courage and leadership resulted in the successful assault by his platoon, and in the disposition of five enemy machine gun emplacements, the killing of eight and the capture of twelve enemy, and the capture of substantial amounts of enemy equipment including six machine guns, three mortars and several chests of ammunition. His subsequent sound organization of the ground and emplacement of his platoon enabled him to successfully repulse an enemy counterattack and enabled the remainder of his company to move forward in the attack. The courage, skill and leadership in battle of Lieutenant Strong reflects high credit upon the military service.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Captain (Infantry)

    Batallion:

    1st Battalion

    Regiment:

    137th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    35th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    November 15, 1944
    Headquarters, 35th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 55 (December 5, 1944)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Captain (Infantry) Sidney K. Strong (ASN: 0-440501), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 35th Infantry Division, in action at ****, France, on 15 November 1944. Captain Strong, Commanding Officer, Company A, 1st Battalion, 137th Infantry Regiment, led his unit in close support of Company C troops who were mounted on tanks, in an attack against the enemy in the vicinity of ****. Captain Strong made his way to the side of the Company C Commander who had been wounded by a sniper, and killed the sniper with rifle fire. Despite heavy enemy fire, he reorganized Company C, designated platoon leaders to replace those who had become casualties, and deployed the company against strong points within the village of ****. Returning to his own company, he reorganized his troops and led them in an attack upon the village, after first directing artillery fire upon enemy armor with success. He directed the fire and movement of both A and C Companies, in a house-to-house fight in the sniper-infested village. He made his way across thirty yards of open terrain to administer first aid to two wounded soldiers and evacuated first one and then the other to positions of safety, then returned to lead the two companies in a final drive which resulted in the capture of the village. He was killed in a subsequent action against the enemy. His intrepid bravery, outstanding leadership, coolness and quick thinking under fire have won for him a permanent place in the annals of fighting infantrymen, and reflect credit upon his character as an officer and a leader of men.