Jack M. Collette

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Jack M. Collette (20710921), Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company B, 254th Infantry Regiment, 63d Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 25 April 1945, near Leipheim, Germany. On that date, an enemy force of company strength, bearing white flags, advanced to within two hundred yards of Sergeant Collette’s platoon and then suddenly opened fire. As the order was given for his platoon to withdraw, Sergeant Collette voluntarily remained in an exposed position to provide covering fire. With five comrades, he repeated his action when his unit failed to regain the position from the numerically superior enemy. Deliberately exposing himself to accomplish his self-assigned mission, Sergeant Collette was killed. His courageous actions and regard for his fellow soldiers, live as an inspiration to the men of his unit and exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States, reflecting great credit upon himself, the 63d Infantry Division, and the United States Army.