Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Corporal

    Batallion:

    3d Battalion

    Regiment:

    508th Parachute Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    82d Airborne Division

    Action Date:

    September 17 – 27, 1944

    Headquarters, 82d Airborne Division, General Orders No. 64 (December 13, 1944)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Frank Ruppe (ASN: 32706071), United States Army, for gallantry in action from 17 to 27 September 1944, at *** and ***, Holland. Corporal Ruppe, Medical Detachment, 3d Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, was attached to the 3d Battalion. He successfully treated and evacuated casualties from theirforward positions while under heavy enemy artillery and small caliber fire. When the Third Battalion attacked the town of ***, Corporal Ruppe was able to evacuate most of the wounded to the battalion aid station although he was without transportation at this time. During the fighting around **** he continued to remove the wounded from exposed positions and bring immediate first aid to these men while the town was being shelled by enemy mortars. In this same period he entered the town several times to remove wounded from positions which were endangered by infiltration and later by a German counterattack. When the Third Battalion, supported by tanks, attacked northeast from **** across the Erlekom flat lands, Corporal Ruppe followed the attack over open ground and evacuated casualties with the help of one one-quarter ton vehicle and driver. At one time during this engagement, enemy artillery halted the battalion advance and forced a withdrawal under covering fire from the tanks. Corporal Ruppe directed his vehicle over the area and evacuated casualties, sometimes forward of the battalion’s most advanced position. When the attack was resumed, he returned to continue with his work. The conduct of Corporal Ruppe reflects the highest credit upon himself and his regiment.