William Vanderberg

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to William Vanderberg (52386564), Staff Sergeant, Company I, 351st Infantry Regiment. For gallantry in action on 29 April 1945 in the vicinity of Bassano del Grappa, Italy. On 29 April 1945 while Sergeant Vanderberg’s company was in a perimeter defense position near Bassano del Grappa, Italy, a force of seventy-four Germans, armed with a high ration of automatic weapons attacked. Because the enemy had already infiltrated the company’s positions, it was impossible for him to use his mortars. Immediately he ordered his men to secure their individual weapons and follow him in a counterattack on the enemy. During the following fire fight that lasted over an hour, Sergeant Vanderberg led his squad gallantly, deploying them and directing their fire power as to get the maximum results. Spotting three machine guns, Sergeant Vanderberg directed fire on each one and with complete disregard for his own safety, crawled to the flank and from close range effectively fire his carbine. In the fire enemy emplacement, Sergeant Vanderberg killed the gunner and wounded another member of the crew. The remainder of the crew quickly surrendered. When Sergeant Vanderberg fired from his exposed position on the second enemy position, the enemy gun was directed on him. This change in the field of fire enabled one of Sergeant Vanderberg’s men to get within rifle grenade range and neutralized the weapon. Firing from the flank on the third position, Sergeant Vanderberg wounded one of the crew with his carbine. Immediately the remainder of the crew surrendered. The courageous actions of Sergeant Vanderberg were a great inspiration to his men and in keeping with those fine traditions of the Armed Forces of the United States.