Col. Kent Olson, the 119th Wing commander, center, explains the meaning of various decorations on the uniform of World War II veteran Gerald Tillman at the Bethany Nursing Home, Fargo, N.D., Dec. 15, 2015. Olson is there to present the Bronze Star Medal to Tillman at the request of family members, who are present for an impromptu ceremony being done in haste because of Tillman’s failing health. The award was received with the help of South Dakota Sen. John Thune's office. Tillman was originally a private and was promoted to sergeant serving in Company A, 1st Battalion, 152nd Infantry Regiment, 38th Infantry Division in the Philippines at the time of his heroic actions. He was a gunner in a machine gun unit at Woodpecker Ridge, Luzon campaign, Philippines. According to a letter of commendation dated June 1945 to Col. Washington M. Ives Jr. of the 152nd Division from Maj. Gen. William C. Chase, “the 152nd Infantry advanced rapidly to Zig Zag Pass east of OLANGAPO and there attacked continuously ... your continued aggressive attack destroyed the greater part of the Japanese 39th Infantry Regiment which had been ordered to defend to the death in the Zig Zag Pass ... your own losses have been relatively light. You have killed over 5,900 (of the enemy).” (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. David H Lipp/Released)
| Date Taken: | 12.15.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 12.16.2015 12:23 |
| Photo ID: | 2334193 |
| VIRIN: | 151215-Z-WA217-171 |
| Resolution: | 4512x3008 |
| Size: | 7.02 MB |
| Location: | FARGO, ND, US |
| Web Views: | 71 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
This work, Col. Kent Olson presents Bronze Star to WWII vet [Image 3 of 3], by David Lipp, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
LEAVE A COMMENT