World War II Honoree

Edward C. Webber

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Ohio

Honored By

An Indebted American

AWARDED THE PURPLE HEART, A SILVER STAR, AND TWO BRONZE STARS FOR GALLANTRY IN ACTION ON 3 FEBRUARY 1945 IN THE VICINITY OF DEDERBORN, GERMANY. THE MISSION OF THE FIRST BATTALION, 311TH INFANTRY REGIMENT WAS TO CROSS THE ROER RIVER AND SEIZE THE ENEMY HELD TOWN OF DEDERBORN, GERMANY. AN IMPENETRABLE HAIL OF ENEMY SMALL ARMS, AUTOMATIC WEAPONS, MORTAR AND ARTILLERY FIRE RAKED THE APPROACH TO THE RIVER. HE SUCCESSFULLY SWAM ACROSS THE SWIFT AND ICY RIVER. UPON REACHING THE SHORE, HE, DESPITE HIS COLD, WET AND EXHAUSTED CONDITION, CONTINUED IN THE ASSAULT WITH SUCH FURY AND DETERMINATION THAT A GREATLY SUPERIOR FORCE WAS DRIVEN FROM THE TOWN. IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE ASSAULT, HE TOOK UP A DEFENSIVE POSITION AND TOGETHER WITH 31 MEN, HELD THE TOWN UNTIL RELIEVED 11 HOURS LATER.