83rd Infantry Division Documents

Hero

Private William D Cumpston

Name	William D Cumpston
Rank	Private
Army Serial #	13089796
State	Pennsylvania
Date of death	1944-07-11
Plot, Row, Grave	D, 18, 23
Cemetery	Normandy American Cemetery, Colleville-sur-Mer, France, Google Maps
Unit	F Company, 330th Infantry Regiment, 83rd Infantry Division
Awards
Remarks	Private Cumpston was a member of F Company. The morning report for July 16, 1944 on page 35 lists him as killed in action on July 11, 1944. General Order 28, dated August 22, 1944, of the 83rd Infantry Division, lists the two Silver Star citations for Private Cumpston: For the action on July 8, 1944: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private William D. Cumpston (ASN: 13089796), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company F, 330th Infantry Regiment, 83d Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 8 July 1944, near ****, France. In the course of the advance of his company toward its objective, Private Cumpston volunteered to crawl forward and attempt to halt an advancing enemy tank. In utter disregard of heavy fire from the machine guns on the tank and of small arms, he succeeded in getting within firing range. With audacious deliberation he took aim and with two well directed rockets demobilized the tank. By this courageous action the enemy defenses were so weakened that the advance of the company was materially hastened. Private Cumpston's resolute fortitude and conspicuous courage reflect great credit upon himself and the finest traditions of the military service. For the action on July 10, 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 Private William D. Cumpston (ASN: 13089796), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company F, 330th Infantry Regiment, 83d Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 10 July 1944, near ****, France. When furious machine gun fire from an enemy tank pinned down his company, Private Cumpston heroically shouldered a rocket launcher and, taking four rounds of ammunition, crawled towards the tank. When he succeeded in getting within 25 yards of it, with fearless determination, despite being subjected to bitter automatic weapons fire, he hit the tank with four well-directed shots and knocked it out of action. Private Cumpston's grim determination, his fighting spirit, and prowess in arms are in keeping with the finest traditions of the military service. The pages and snippets can be seen below.
Documents	- Citation Silver Star, July 8, 1944 - Citation Silver Star Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, July 10, 1944 - Morning report July 16, 1944, F Company, 330th IR, page 35

Grave	Soldier

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