Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Sergeant

Unit:

Company B, 760th Tank Battalion, II Corps, Fifth Army, U.S. Army

Awarded on:

1944

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to George Lenkalis (13046935), Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action, on action, on 25 January 1944. Sgt. Lenkalis commanded a tank crew engaged in a firing mission against German gun positions on the west bank of the Rapido River, Italy. On this mission his tank had been dug in to provide protection against anti-tank and artillery fire. While his tank was firing from this protected position, the area was subjected to heavy enemy shelling. During this barrage Sgt. Lenkalis noticed that an infantryman near his position had been hit by enemy fire. Although shells were falling in the immediate area, he hastened to assist the wounded soldier. As he reached the stricken man, a shell exploded nearby, and Sgt. Lenkalis was struck by fragments and mortally wounded. Disregarding his own injuries, Sgt. Lenkalis assisted in carrying the wounded infantry soldier to a protected place beneath the tank. He gave the soldier first aid treatment, and not until the soldier had received all possible aid did he permit his own wounds to be examined. Sgt. Lenkalis died a few moments later from his injuries. His heroic assistance to a wounded fellow soldier at the sacrifice of his own life typifies the finest traditions of the Army of the United States.

Headquarters, Fifth U.S. Army, General Orders No. 72 (1944).
Awarded posthumously.