83rd Infantry Division Documents

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Captain Floyd B Souders

Name	Floyd B Souders
Rank	Captain
Army Serial #	O-439120
State	North Carolina
Date of death	1944-07-09
Plot, Row, Grave	C, 28, 7
Cemetery	Normandy American Cemetery, Colleville-sur-Mer, France, Google Maps
Role	CO
Unit	D Company, 331st Infantry Regiment, 83rd Infantry Division
Awards
Remarks	According to the memoirs of Capt. Harry C. Gravelyn, Co. D, 331st, Capt. Souders was the well-respected Co. D CO. The memoirs mention Capt. Souders many times and when Capt. Souders became a casualty as a result an 88mm shell, 1LT Gravelyn took over the command of Co. D. The April 1945, After Action Report page 52, contains the posthumous award of the Silver Star to Captain Floyd B. Souders: CAPTAIN FLOYD B. SOUDERS, O439120, Infantry 331st Infantry, United States Army. For Gallantry in action on 5 July 1944, In France. On this date the First Battalion launched an attack, south of Carentan, France. After a fierce day of fighting the Battalion were with three hundred yards of the objective, all communications having been blasted away by enemy shell fire. When his Battalion was threatened with disorganization under a vicious enemy counter-attack, Captain Souders, heavy weapons company commander organized his mortar platoon as riflemen and led them up to the former line of departure. In the face of heavy mortar, machine gun and artillery fire he personally reorganized groups of men and put then under leaders on the spot. He was mortally wounded, but refused to be evacuated until the reorganization of the Battalion was completed. The complete route of the Battalion and the loss of valuable ground was prevented due to Captain Souder’s gallant action and leadership. His outstanding courage and initiative reflect the highest credit upon himself and exemplify the finest tradition of the armed forces of the United States. Entered military service from North Carolina. Residence: Fayetville, North Carolina. A copy of this recommendation can be seen here.

Grave	Soldier

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