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Christan, Gérard Henri

Date of birth:
August 24th, 1910 (Palembang, Dutch East Indies)
Date of death:
August 17th, 2004 (Harderwijk, the Netherlands)
Service number:
10.20.24.001
Nationality:
Dutch

Biography

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Eerste Luitenant der Infanterie (1st Lieutenant of Infantry)
Awarded on:
September 13th, 1947

KB no 20
Bronzen Kruis (BK)
Period:
Korean War (1950-1953)
Rank:
Luitenant-Kolonel (Lieutenant-Colonel)
Awarded on:
April 3rd, 1954

KB no 10
Bronzen Leeuw (BL)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
February 1955

with palm
Officier in de Kroonorde
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
February 1955

with palm
Croix de Guerre 1940
Period:
Korean War (1950-1953)
Rank:
Luitenant-Kolonel (Lieutenant-Colonel)
Awarded on:
August 27th, 1952
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel Gerardus H Christan, Royal Netherlands Army, Commanding Officer, Netherlands Batallion, attached to the 38th Infantry Regiment, for gallantry in action on 18 February 1952, near Mirok Tong, Korea. Committed to attack and destroy hostile emplacements on Star Hill, a dominant terrain feature tenaciously defended by a fanatical foe, Colonel Christan fearlessly led his command up the rugged slope and engaged the enemy. When a platoon leader and his assistant were wounded in the initial phase of the action, leaving the unit disorganized and without command, Colonel Christan rallied and regrouped the troops and, vulnerable to withering fire and armed only with a pistol, led them in a daring charge which overran hostile positions and carried to the crest of the hill. Quickly readying defense positions against imminent counterattack, Colonel Christan directed his mine platoon to destroy remaining enemy emplacements and to lay anti-personnel mines. After completing the mission with minimum casualties, he led his men back to friendly lines. Colonel Christan's inspirational leadership and intrepid actions reflect great credit upon himself and uphold the honoured traditions of military service.

General Orders Headquarters, Far East Command, NO. 94
Silver Star Medal (SSM)
Period:
Korean War (1950-1953)
Rank:
Luitenant-Kolonel (Lieutenant-Colonel)
Awarded on:
November 28th, 1952
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit, in the Degree of Legionnaire to Lieutenant Colonel Gerard H. Christan, Royal Netherlands Army, for exceptional meritious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States from 7 November 1951 to 20 August 1952
Legion of Merit - Legionnaire (LoM)
Officier in de Orde van Oranje Nassau met zwaarden (ON.4x)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)

with 2 clasps
Oorlogsherinneringskruis (OHK)

Photo