Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

2nd Lieutenant (Second-lieutenant)

Unit:

Company A, 27th Armored Infantry Battalion, 9th Armored Division "Phantom Division", U.S. Army (Company A, 27th Armored Infantry Battalion, 9th Armored Division "Phantom Division", U.S. Army)

Awarded on:

1945

By direction of the President, under the provisions of Army Regulations 600-45, 22 September 1943, as amended, the Distinguished Service Cross is Awarded by the Army Commander to Karl H. Timmermann (01311343), Second Lieutenant, Infantry, 27th Armored Infantry Battalion, 9th Armored Division, United States Army. For extraordinary heroism in action against the enemy on 7 March 1945, in Germany. Upon reaching the Ludendorff railroad bridge across the Rhine River, Second Lieutenant Timmermann, aware that the bridge was prepared for demolition, and in the face of heavy machine gun, small arms and direct 20mm gun fire, began a hazardous trip across the span. Although artillery shells and two explosions rocked the bridge, he continued his advance. Upon reaching the bridge towers on the far side, he cleared them of snipers and demolition crews. Still braving the intense machine gun and shell fire, he reached the eastern side of the river where he eliminated hostile snipers and gun crews from along the bank and on the face of the bluff overlooking the river. By his outstanding heroism and unflinching valor, Second Lieutenant Timmermann contributed materially to the establishment of the first bridgehead across the Rhine River. Entered military service from Nebraska.

Headquarters, First U.S. Army, General Orders No. 49 (1945).