World War II Honoree

Albert Lawrence Goeken

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Delavan, Illinois

Honored By

Linda Rokey

Relationship

Daughter

A MEMBER OF AN OUTFIT THAT STORMED THE INVASION COAST ON D-DAY. HAD BEEN IN SCORES OF BATTLES AND 3 MAJOR CAMPAIGNS. AWARDED THE SILVER STAR FOR GALLANTRY IN ACTION WHILE OPERATING A BULLDOZER IN THE 29TH INFANTRY DIVISION ENGINEER OUTFIT IN FRANCE. LANDED WITH HIS UNIT ON D-DAY NEAR VIREVILLE, FRANCE, DRIVING A BULLDOZER LOADED WITH TNT IN IMPROVISED RACKS AND PULLING A TRAILER LOADED WITH EXPLOSIVES. WITH ENTIRE DISREGARD FOR HIS OWN SAFETY, HE DROVE HIS BULLDOZER 1/2 MILE UP THE BEACH TO MAKE THE EXPLOSIVES AVAILABLE TO MEN WAITING TO BLOW A GAP IN THE SEA WALL TO ENABLE VEHICLES TO GET OFF THE BEACH. THIS JOB COMPLETED, ENGINEERS WERE ORDERED TO CLEAR A 50 YARD GAP FROM THE BEACH OBSTACLES UP TO THE RAMP TO ENABLE LANDING CRAFT TO BEACH AND UNLOAD. DEMOLITIONS FAILED TO DESTROY ELEMENT C OBSTACLES AND HE VOLUNTARILY ELIMINATED THE OBSTACLES WITH HIS BULLDOZER, WHICH ENABLED THE ENGINEERS TO FINISH CLEARING THE LANE. ALL OF THIS WORK WAS DONE IN DIRECT OBSERVATION AND UNDER HEAVY ENEMY FIRE. HIS COURAGE, DEVOTION TO DUTY AND UTTER DISREGARD FOR HIS OWN SAFETY, REFLECT HIGHEST CREDIT ON HIMSELF AND THE MILITARY SERVICE.