President Roosevelt authorized the Bronze Star Medal by Executive Order 9419 with the following commentary.
“There is hereby established the Bronze Star Medal, with accompanying ribbons and appurtenances, for award to any person who, while serving in any capacity in or with the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard of the United States on or after December 7, 1941, distinguishes, or has distinguished, himself by heroic, or meritorious achievement or service, not involving participation in aerial flight, in connection with military or naval operations against an enemy of the United States.”
Bronze Star – Hollis Woodard
The Bronze Star Medal is the fourth-highest individual military award and the ninth-highest by order of precedence in the US Military. It may be awarded for acts of heroism, acts of merit, or meritorious service in a combat zone. When awarded for acts of heroism, the medal is awarded with the “V” device.
Colonel Russell P. “Red” Reeder proposed the medal in 1943. He believed it would aid morale if there was a medal which would be the ground equivalent of the Air Medal. The idea eventually reached General George C. Marshall, who in a memorandum to President Franklin D. Roosevelt dated February 3, 1944, wrote:
“The fact that the ground troops, Infantry in particular, lead miserable lives of extreme discomfort and are the ones who must close in personal combat with the enemy, makes the maintenance of their morale of great importance. The award of the Air Medal has had an adverse reaction on the ground troops, particularly the Infantry Riflemen who are now suffering the heaviest losses, air or ground, in the Army, and enduring the greatest hardships.”
The Air Medal had been adopted two years earlier to raise airmen’s morale. President Roosevelt authorized the Bronze Star Medal by Executive Order 9419 dated 4 February 1944, retroactive to 7 December 1941.
The Woodard Boys Go to World War II
Bronze Star – Part 8
By Hollis Hood Woodard
(1917 – 2009)
I never believed that I deserved this medal but appreciate the fact that they thought enough of my service to give it to me.
Bronze Star Citation
Hollis H. Woodard, 38079463, Technical Sergeant, 2nd Field Artillery Observation Battalion, for meritorious service in action from 10 June 1944 to 6 May 1945 in Italy, France and Germany. Technical Sergeant Woodard, as Personnel Sergeant for the Battalion, by his unremitting efforts and devotion to duty performed his mission in an exemplary manner under the most trying condition of enemy action. Throughout this entire period he maintained a steady courage and cheerfulness that was an inspiration to all about him. By his unselfish attitude toward his duties, and the high degree of consideration he exhibited for the personnel under him, he contributed greatly to the efficiency of the battalion. Technical Sergeant Woodard’s devotion to duty and untiring efforts reflect great credit upon himself and the military service. Entered military service from Winnsboro, Texas.
W. H. H. Morris, Jr.
Major General, U. S. Army
Commanding
Part 1 – Part 2 – Part 3 – Part 4 – Part 5 – Part 6 – Part 7 – Part 8
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