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Sartain, Charles Lenton, Jr.

    Date of birth:
    September 19th, 1920 (Baton Rouge/Louisiana, United States)
    Date of death:
    November 15th, 2017 (Baton Rouge/Louisiana, United States)
    Service number:
    0-466381
    Nationality:
    American

    Biography

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    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Captain
    Unit:
    Battery A, 319th Glider Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division "All American", U.S. Army
    Awarded on:
    October 8th, 1945

    Royal decree no.31 / G.O. no. 126
    Bronzen Leeuw (BL)
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Captain
    Unit:
    Battery A, 319th Glider Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division "All American", U.S. Army
    Awarded on:
    December 20th, 1944
    Awarded for:
    Operation Market Garden
    "For gallantry in action on 28 September 1944, near ****, Holland. Captain Sartain, Battery A, 319th Glider Field Artillery Battalion, 82d Airborne Division, while accompanying the Battalion Assistant S-3 on a routine inspection tour of forward artillery observation posts in the **** Area, observed three squads of German infantry moving in and taking positions to cut off a friendly infantry platoon holding the position. He immediately made his way to the infantry position, through heavy small arms fire, and found the position under attack by a superior number of the enemy supported by tanks and flame throwers. The Battalion S-3 assumed command and personally took over the artillery radio while Captain Sartain, with the utmost coolness and courage went about reorganizing the position, passing among the men time after time giving encouragement and instructions to each individual soldiers. His courage and devotion to duty and utter disregard of his personal safe was a great factor in repulsing the attack and holding the position until the arrival of reinforcements and re-supply of ammunition. His courage, coolness and conduct under fire was an example and an inspiration to the men in the position, and exemplified the best traditions of the service."

    Headquarters, 82d Airborne Division, General Orders No. 66
    Silver Star Medal (SSM)

    Sources

    Photo