Awards

Throughout the history of the United States, awards and citations have been presented to military members for gallant actions or for their positive conduct while serving their country. During World War II, the 103rd Infantry Division served primarily on the front lines, and therefore had hundreds of soldiers who at times acted with uncommon valor that earned them various medals, accolades, and awards. Along with these medals for gallantry, the 103rd Infantry Division also had over a thousand men who were killed and wounded in action and were subsequently awarded the Purple Heart. Below are some of the medals that were awarded to the men of the 103rd, and a description of the medal and why it might be awarded to an individual. The only award that has a description of the action that led to its being awarded is the Medal of Honor.

CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENT (1 AWARDED)

The Congressional Medal of Honor is the rarest medal awarded by the U.S. Military. In order to receive the Medal of Honor, an individual must distinguish themselves in an action or series of actions that goes above and beyond the call of duty, and normally the action places the individual at great physical peril without regard for their own safety. For the Medal to actually be awarded, a multi-step process must first take place. First, a comprhensive citation or description of the event must be written by someone, normally a commanding officer, which specifically details what they deem worthy of the Medal of Honor. After this, an investigation is carried out by the military to verify the action. This investigation includes interviews of other members of the unit who were present and can verify the actions of the individual listed on the citation. Once these steps are concluded, the President of the United States personally decides if the action or actions described in the citation are worthy of the Medal. In some instances, soldiers might be denied or downgraded to the next award below the Medal of Honor while the investigation is conducted, or at the time of the action itself. During the history of the 103rd Infantry Division’s time in combat, only one Medal of Honor was awarded, and this award was not given until decades after the end of the war. Furthermore, the Medal of Honor was not awarded to a soldier of the 103rd Infantry Division, but rather a soldier of a unit that was attached to the 103rd for a portion of the war.

On December 14, 1944, a task force of the 411th Infantry Regiment organized to attack Climbach, a French town just outside the German border. The task force consisted of a company of infantry, a platoon of tanks, and Company C of the 614th Tank Destroyer Battalion towing anti-tank guns. First Lieutenant Charles L. Thomas of the 614th Tank Destroyer Battalion was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism. Then, on January 13, 1997, Captain Thomas’s Distinguished Service Cross was upgraded to The Congressional Medal of Honor.

First Lieutenant Thomas rode in the lead vehicle of the task force organized to storm and capture Climbach. This armored scout car became subjected to intense enemy artillery, self-propelled guns, and small arms fire. The initial burst of hostile fire wounded Thomas, and he signaled the remainder of the column to halt. Despite the severity of his wounds, Thomas assisted the crew of the wrecked car in dismounting. Leaving the scant protection that the vehicle afforded, Thomas was subjected to another hail of enemy fire which inflicted multiple gunshot wounds on his chest, legs, and left arm. Despite the intense pain, he ordered and directed the dispersion and emplacement of two anti-tank guns. These guns promptly and effectively returned fire. Realizing he could no longer remain in command of the company, he signaled to a platoon commander to join him. Thomas thoroughly oriented the commander on the general situation and the enemy gun dispositions. After he ascertained that his junior officer was in complete control of the situation, he evacuated. Thomas' outstanding heroism inspired his men and exemplified the highest traditions of the Armed Forces.

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSSES (12 AWARDED)

The Distinguished Service Cross is awarded to a person who distinguishes himself or herself by extraordinary heroism while either, engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States, engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing/foreign force, or while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing Armed Force in which the United States is not a belligerent party. The act or acts of heroism must have been so notable and have involved risk of life so extraordinary as to set the individual apart from his or her fellow combatants. Oftentimes, soldiers who are recommended for the Congressional Medal of Honor are awarded this award either in place of the Medal of Honor, or temporarily awarded the Distinguished Service Cross while the Medal of Honor investigation is ongoing. This award is the second highest award that a soldier can receive for valor while fighting in the Armed Forces of the United States.

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE MEDAL (1 AWARDED)

Created in 1918, the Distinguished Service Medal is presented to soldiers who have distinguished themselves by exceptionally meritorious service to the government in a duty of great responsibility. The performance must be such as to merit recognition for service that is clearly exceptional. The exceptional performance of normal duty will not alone justify an award of this decoration - the actions must be above and beyond the regular call of duty. Additionally, justification of the award may accrue by virtue of exceptionally meritorious service in a succession of high positions of great importance. The level of exceptional performance of service is greater than that necessary for the Silver Star.

LEGION OF MERIT AWARDS (3 AWARDED)

The Legion of Merit is awarded to any member of the U.S. Armed Forces without reference to rank for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements. The performance must merit recognition of key individuals for service rendered in a clearly exceptional manner. Performance of duties normal to the grade, branch, specialty, or assignment, and the experience of individuals is not an adequate basis for this award. For service not related to actual war, the term "key individual" applies to a narrower range of positions than in a time of war and requires evidence of significant achievement.

SOLDIER'S MEDALS (14 AWARDED)

The Soldier’s Medal is awarded to any person of the U.S. Armed Forces or of a friendly foreign nation while serving in any capacity with the U.S. Army. It is awarded to persons who distinguish themselves by heroism not involving actual conflict with an enemy. The same degree of heroism required is equivalent to the Distinguished Flying Cross. Their performance must involve personal hazard and/or danger and the voluntary risk of life under conditions not involving conflict with an armed enemy.

SILVER STAR MEDALS (284 AWARDED)

The Silver Star Medal is awarded to a person who, while serving in any capacity with the U.S. Armed Forces, is cited for gallantry in action against an enemy of the United States. These actions occur while A) engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force, or B) while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party. While of a lesser degree than that required for award of the Distinguished Service Cross, the required gallantry must nevertheless be performed with highly marked distinction.

BRONZE STAR MEDALS (2,669 AWARDED)

The Bronze Star Medal is awarded to any person who, while serving in any capacity in or with the military of the United States after 6 December 1941. The criteria for receiving the Bronze Star include:

1) To distinguish himself or herself by heroic or meritorious achievement or service, not involving participation in aerial flight, while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States; while engaged in military operations involving conflict with (a) an opposing foreign force; or (b) while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party;

2) For acts of heroism, performed under circumstances described above, which are of lesser degree than required for the award of the Silver Star;

3) To recognize single acts of merit or meritorious service. The required achievement or service, while of lesser degree than that required for the award of the Legion of Merit, must nevertheless be meritorious and accomplished with distinction.

PURPLE HEARTS (~1,670 AWARDED)

A list of Purple Heart recipients that is collated from the General Orders lists 1,670 Purple Heart awards. However, it should be noted that during their six months of intensive combat, there were 6,762 total casualties (including 848 killed in action) recorded for the 103rd Infantry Division. Thus, the number of soldiers who could have or should have been given a Purple Heart may be higher.

The Purple Heart is awarded in the name of the President of the United States to any member of the Armed Forces who, while serving with the U.S. Armed Services after 5 April 1917, has been wounded or killed, or who has died or may hereafter die after being wounded, and a wound for which the award is made must have required treatment by a medical officer. To be awarded the Purple Heart, a soldier must be wounded or killed while in any action against an enemy of the United States, fighting against a opposing enemy force with which the United States is engaged, or for injuries and wounds received while held as a Prisoner of War of captive of an enemy force.

AIR MEDAL AWARDS (92 AWARDED)

While serving in any capacity in or with the Armed Forces of the United States, the Air Medal is awarded to anyone who distinguishes himself or herself by meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight. Awards can be made to recognize single acts of merit or heroism or meritorious service. The Air Medal is awarded to primarily recognize those personnel on current crew member or non-crew member flying status, requiring them to participate in aerial flight on a regular and frequent basis in the performance of their primary duties. However, it may also be awarded to certain other individuals whose combat duties require regular and frequent flying in non-passenger status, or individuals who perform a particularly noteworthy act while performing the function of a crew member but are not on flying status. These individuals must make a discernible contribution to the operational land combat mission or to the mission of the aircraft in flight. Examples of personnel whose combat duties require them to fly include: 1) those in the attack elements of units involved in air-land assaults against an armed enemy, and 2) those directly involved in airborne command and control of combat operations. Involvement in such activities, normally at the brigade/group level and below, serves only to establish eligibility for the Air Medal. The degree of heroism, meritorious achievement, or exemplary service determines who should receive the award.

GOOD CONDUCT MEDALS (91 AWARDED)

The Good Conduct Medal has been awarded in the U.S. Army since 1941. It is awarded to active duty enlisted service members who complete three consecutive years of honorable, faithful, efficient service with fidelity. The soldier must not have undergone any non-judicial punishment, disciplinary infractions, or court-martial offenses. During times of war, the Good Conduct Medal can be awarded for one year of honorable and faithful service. It can also be awarded posthumously.

MERITORIOUS SERVICE UNIT PLAQUES (8 AWARDED)

The Meritorious Service Unit Plaque is awarded to entire units, not individuals. Awarded since 1944, it has since been renamed the Meritorious Unit Commendation. It is awarded for six continuous months of exceptional conduct in performing outstanding services and achievements. This service is not necessarily completed in combat, but must at least support active combat.

CIVILIAN AWARDS- PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL OF FREEDOM (1 AWARDED)

In 2009, Joe Medicine Crow received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama for, alongside his other civilian achievements, his military service as a scout for the 103rd Infantry Division during World War II. Notably, Joe Medicine Crow completed the four tasks required to become a Crow war chief while serving with the 103rd Infantry Division when he touched an enemy without killing him, stole an enemy’s weapon, stole an enemy’s horse, and lead a successful war party. Joe Medicine Crow was the last war chief from the Crow tribe.