Staff Sergeant Delvin V. Sample, DSC

Distinguished Service Cross (DSC), 351st Infantry Regiment

HEADQUARTERS FIFTH ARMY

19 December 1944

GENERAL ORDERS

NUMBER 187

DELVIN V. SAMPLE, (37446131), Staff Sergeant, Infantry, United States Army. For extraordinary heroism in action, on 21 October 1944, near Mount Grande, Italy. Staff Sergeant SAMPLE led his men in assaulting a group of enemy-occupied houses situated on a steep and rocky hill. Approaching his objective, he placed one squad in position to provide covering fire and then aggressively led his remaining two squads across an open field to a point within seventy-five yards of the first house. At this point he and his men were subjected to intense enemy crossfire from machine guns situated in haystacks. Rushing forward fearlessly, Staff Sergeant SAMPLE tossed a hand grenade into one haystack, killing one enemy gunner and wounding two others. Disregarding a painful wound incurred during this action, Staff Sergeant SAMPLE deployed his men and directed an attack on the house. Observing a German officer preparing to open fire on one squad, Staff Sergeant SAMPLE rushed toward the officer and killed him with one shot. At this time he was wounded again; but his fearless actions had distracted the attention of the enemy and enabled his men to seize the house, capturing twenty-eight prisoners. Although unable to move, Staff Sergeant SAMPLE supervised the reorganization of the platoon and the establishment of a defensive position, and later directed his men in repulsing a counterattack until he finally collapsed. His heroism in battle was an inspiration to his men and exemplifies the fighting traditions of the American Infantryman. Entered military service from Muscatine, Iowa.

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General Orders No. 187, Headquarters, Fifth Army, 19 December 1944; World War II Operational and Unit Records; Records of the Adjutant General's Office, Record Group 407; National Archives at College Park, College Park, MD.

Photo: "Distinguished Service Cross Given Sgt. Sample." The Muscatine Journal and News Tribune", Feb 5, 1945. Downloaded from Newspapers.com.