Wiegand, Richard F.

Date of birth:: December 17th, 1923 (Allegany County/Maryland, United States)
Date of death:: December 25th, 1944 (Marche-en-Famenne/Luxembourg, Belgium)
Buried on:: American War Cemetery Henri-Chapelle
Plot: H. Row: 2. Grave: 52.
Service number:: 33 718 955
Nationality:: American (1776 - present, Republic)

Biography

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Silver Star Medal (SSM)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Corporal
Unit:: Company K, 3rd Battalion, 289th Infantry Regiment, 75th Infantry Division, U.S. Army
Awarded on:: 1945

Citation:
"For gallantry in action against the enemy in Belgium on 25 December 1944. Corporal Wiegand stopped the advance of the 2nd SS Das Reich, just outside of Grandmenil by taking out the leading panther tank with a bazooka shot. By doing this, the complete Das Reich division was stopped, disabling the midsection of the battle of the Bulge. Corporal Wiegand was killed instantly, because he was to close to the panther tank, when his bazooka round exploded. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army."

Headquarters, 75th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 24. Posthumously awarded