Description
Only One Available: One-of-a-kind. Private William J. Fugere ASN 16 157 649 of Iron Mountain, Michigan was assigned to 3rd Platoon, Company L, 334th Infantry regiment, 84th Infantry Division during World War Two. His original engraved Silver Star and original citation are included in this set. His citation reads:
HEADQUARTERS 84TH INFANTRY DIVISION
OFFICE OF THE COMMANDING GENERAL
Award of The Silver Star Medal Citation
Private First Class WILLIAM J FUGERE 16157649, 334th Infantry, United States Army. For gallantry in action against the enemy in Germany, 3 March 1945. During an enemy counter-attack which followed an intense artillery barrage, Private First Class Fugere boldly took a position beside a tank and, disdaining the attempts to dislodge him by withering fire, delivered devastating automatic rifle fire on the hostile troops which broke their ranks and forced them to withdraw. The conspicuous courage, determined fighting spirit and loyalty displayed by Private First Class Fugere reflect high credit upon himself and are in accordance with the finest traditions of the military service of the United States. Entered military service from Michigan
…
Major General, U. S. Army,
Commanding.
His silver star can also be verified at this link.
Included in this exceptional valor grouping are the following items:
– Original engraved Silver Star Medal with box. the medal reads WILLIAM J FUGERE
– Original Silver Star Citation on 30th Infantry letterhead (some damage).
– Original Honorable Discharge and Report of Separation (damaged).
– 6 original wartime photos of Fugere in uniform, one photo of his platoon.
– Original newspaper clipping article that reads FUGERE WINS SILVER STAR FOR BRAVERY.
– Original Dog Tags.
– Size 38L Ike jacket with laundry number F-7649 written in ink in the inside neck area. The left shoulder with 84th Infantry Division “Rail Splitters” insignia on left shoulder. Combat Infantryman Badge. Medal ribbons as follows- Silver Star, Army Good Conduct, American Defense, European-African-Middle East Campaign Ribbon with Three Battle Stars, WWII Victory Medal. Expert Rifleman badge, Presidential Unit Citation with Oak Leaf Cluster, Ruptured Duck.
– Enlisted Infantry Overseas Garrison Cap.
The 84th Infantry Division was ordered into active military service on 15 October, 1942, at Camp Howze, Texas, about 60 miles north of Dallas. Then, it was composed of the 333rd, 334th and 335th Inf. Regts.; 325th, 326th, 327th and 909th FA Bns.; 309th Engr. Combat Bn.; 309th Med, Bn.; 84th Sig. Co.; 784th Ord. Light Maintenance Co.; 84th QM Co.; 84th Recon Troop. It embarked on 20 September 1944 and arrived in the United Kingdom on 1 October, for additional training. The division landed on Omaha Beach, 1–4 November 1944, and moved to the vicinity of Gulpen, the Netherlands, 5–12 November.
The division entered combat on 18 November with an attack on Geilenkirchen, Germany, (Operation Clipper) as part of the larger offensive in the Roer Valley, north of Aachen. Operating under the command of Lt-Gen Brian Horrocks the division was supported by British tanks of the Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry, specialist armoured units of 79th Armoured Division, and XXX Corps’ artillery. After a short rest, the division returned to the fight, taking Wurm and Würm (Geilenkirchen), Mullendorf, 18 December, before moving to Belgium to help stem the German winter offensive (Battle of the Bulge).
Battling in snow, sleet, and rain, the division threw off German attacks, recaptured Verdenne, 24–28 December, took Beffe and Devantave (Rendeux), 4–6 January 1945, and seized La Roche, 11 January. By 16 January, the Bulge had been reduced. After a 5-day respite, the 84th resumed the offensive, taking Gouvy and Beho. On 7 February, the division assumed responsibility for the Roer River zone, between Linnich and Himmerich (near Heinsberg), and trained for the river crossing.
On 23 February 1945, the second day of Operation Grenade, the division cut across the Roer, took Boisheim and Dülken, 1 March, crossed the Niers on 2 March, took Krefeld, 3 March, and reached the Rhine by 5 March. One day before, the ‘Krefeld-Uerdinger Brücke’ was blown off by Wehrmacht soldiers. The division trained along the west bank of the river in March.
After crossing the Rhine, 1 April, the division drove from Lembeck toward Bielefeld in conjunction with the 5th Armored Division, crossing the Weser River to capture Hanover, 10 April. By 13 April, it had reached the Elbe, and halted its advance, patrolling along the river. Soviet troops were contacted at Balow, 2 May 1945. The division remained on occupation duty in Germany after VE-day, returning to the United States on 19 January 1946 for demobilization. It was redesignated a reserve formation on 21 January 1946.
Troops of the 84th Infantry Division liberated two satellite camps of the Neuengamme Prison Camp: Ahlem (a.k.a. Hannover-Ahlem), on 10 April 1945, and Salzwedel, on 14 April 1945. As such, the 84th is officially recognized as a “Liberating Unit” by both the U.S. Army’s Center of Military History and the Shoah Memorial Museum.
Casualties
– Total battle casualties: 7,260
– Killed in action: 1,284
– Wounded in action: 5,098
– Missing in action: 129
– Prisoner of war: 749
– Campaigns: Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace, Central Europe.
– Days of combat: 170.
– Distinguished Unit Citations: 7
– Awards: Distinguished Service Cross (United States)-12 ; Distinguished Service Medal (United States)-1 ; Silver Star-555; LM-4; SM-27 ; BSM-2,962 ; AM-59.
– Commanders: Maj. Gen. John H. Hilldring (October 1942 – February 1943), Maj. Gen. Stonewall Jackson (February–October 1943), Maj. Gen. Robert B. McClure (October 1943 – March 1944), Maj. Gen. Roscoe B. Woodruff (March–June 1944), Maj. Gen. Alexander R. Bolling (June 1944 to 1946).
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