David S. Whittaker

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in Lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star Medal to David S. Whittaker (0-2005236), Second Lieutenant (Infantry), U.S. Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 119th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division, on 25 February 1945, in Germany. Lieutenant Whittaker was leading an assault when he noticed a vehicle loaded with enemy soldiers approaching him. After signaling for all to take a prone position, he waited until the vehicle was thirty yards from him and then gallantly leaped into the middle of the road and fired his sub-machine gun, killing two of the enemy and forcing the others to seek shelter in a nearby barn. Displaying great heroism, Lieutenant Whittaker hurled his empty gun into the group of enemy and then used his pistol. The enemy were so demoralized by his aggressive actions that they quickly surrendered.