Donald B. Wason

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Donald B. Wason (0-1309997), Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company L, 325th Glider Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, in action against enemy forces on 9 June 1944, in France. Second Lieutenant Wason, commanding a rifle platoon of a glider infantry regiment, led the initial charge across the bridge and causeway over the Merderet River. The assault was launched in the face of heavy cross-fire from enemy machine guns nested in emplacements at the western end of the causeway. Setting an example of exemplary courage and initiative, Second Lieutenant Wason raced over the causeway and headed for the nearest machine gun nest. He wiped it out with grenades, and in the performance of this heroic action was killed by an enemy rifleman. His intrepidity set an example for others to parallel in the winning of the bridgehead in one of the bitterest battles fought during the early phase of the liberation. Second Lieutenant Wason’s intrepid actions, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty at the cost of his life, exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 82d Airborne Division, and the United States Army.