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Weaver, William Gaulbert

Date of birth:
November 24th, 1888 (Louisville/Kentucky, United States)
Date of death:
November 25th, 1970
Service number:
0-3413
Nationality:
American

Biography

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Period:
First World War (1914-1918)
Rank:
Major
Unit:
8th Machine-Gun Battalion, 3rd Division, American Expeditionary Forces (AEF), U.S. Army
Awarded on:
March 1st, 1920
"Major Weaver distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving with the 8th Machine-Gun Battalion, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in action north of Cierges, France, 4 October 1918, while directing the movement of his battalion under fire."

GHQ, American Expeditionary Forces, Citation Orders No. 8
Silver Citation Star
"For extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 8th Machine-Gun Battalion, 3d Division, A.E.F., near Cierges, France, 4 October 1918. The assault battalion, 7th Infantry, having been halted by heavy machine-gun and artillery fire, Major Weaver personally placed four machine guns and the 1-pounder in position and directed their fire in close cooperation with the Infantry. In performing this act Major Weaver was forced to cross three times an area exposed to heavy machine-gun fire, in which no less than 50 men had been previously killed or wounded. His heroic efforts enabled the Infantry to advance and insured the success of this operation."

War Department, General Orders No. 35
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Brigadier General
Unit:
Assistant Division Commander, HQ, 90th Infantry Division "Tough 'Ombres", U.S. Army
Awarded on:
September 12th, 1944
Silver Star Medal (SSM)
"For gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Assistant Division Commander of the 90th Infantry Division in Northern France. On 1 August 1944, near ****, France, when the advance of the leading elements of "Task Force Weaver" spear-headed the drive to cut through the German defensive near **** and were stopped in front of the city by small arms and artillery fire, General Weaver personally went forward in the column, directed the rapid development of the situation under fire and quickly took the town by the rapid movements which he directed from his advanced position under artillery and small arms fire. Again on 6 August 1944, he showed aggressive leadership in the capture of **** leading the same supporting forces in the same aggressive manner. Later, in the attack on ****, he showed gallantry in action in directing and leading an attack on a force defending the road to **** while a part of his task force encircled a bridge which was strongly held by a force and had numerous anti-tank guns in depth along the road for 20 to 25 miles. This action resulted in the capture of some five hundred prisoners, destruction of much material and the capture of the Northern half of the city of ****, France. General Weaver's action and aggressive leadership was an inspiration to those under him and is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service"

Headquarters, 90th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 59
"For extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Assistant Division Commander, 90th Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy. On 17 August 1944, elements of the 90th Infantry Division were stopped in their advance upon Le Bourge St. Leonard, France, by a strong enemy force. Brigadier General Weaver, Assistant Division Commander, when informed of the situation, immediately went in to the front lines to coordinate and direct the action. With complete disregard for his own safety he personally manned a machine gun on his vehicle at a strategic point until he could bring up troops to take over the position. During this action enemy mortar fire upon the position wounded three of his party and destroyed his quarter-ton truck and a motorcycle. When assistance arrived, he went to other parts of the lines to reorganize and encourage his men, making his way under constant and heavy enemy fire, shouting commands to his troops, and by his inspiring, fearless leadership, rallying them to push forward to capture the town. His bold, gallant actions under grave threat to his own safety, his courageous leadership, and his supreme devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the Armed Forces of the United States"

Headquarters, Third U.S. Army, General Orders No. 75 (1944).
This award was obtained in the form of an Oak Leaf to be attached on the ribbon of the first award.
"For exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility, as Assistant Division Commander of the 90th Infantry Division, during the period from 17 October 1944 to 27 February 1945."

War Department, General Orders No. 43
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Brigadier General
Unit:
Assistant Division Commander, HQ, 90th Infantry Division "Tough 'Ombres", U.S. Army
"For exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Assistant Division Commander of the 90th Infantry Division, during the period from 1943 to 1944."
Legion of Merit - US Military
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Major General
Unit:
Commanding General, HQ, 8th Infantry Division "Pathfinder", U.S. Army
Awarded on:
February 23rd, 1945
Legion of Merit - US Military
"For exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding General, 8th Infantry Division, from 30 July 1944 to 16 October 1944."

Headquarters, European Theater of Operations, U.S. Army, General Orders No. 23 (Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster)

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