David J. Samples

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to David J. Samples (35698731), Private First Class, U.S. Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 119th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division, on 11 October 1944, in Germany. Although a disabled tank in which several wounded men lay was under heavy enemy machine gun, mortar, and artillery fire, Private Samples and three comrades succeeded in extricating their wounded comrades despite being blinded by smoke and in danger of exploding ammunition. Making their way slowly from one protected position to another, Private Samples and his comrades carried the wounded men to a forward aid station.