++Hess, George J.++

First Lieutenant, U.S. Army

Company A, 128TH Infantry Regiment, 32D ‘Red Arrow’ Infantry Division (company is presumed, then 2d Lt. Hess was assigned to Co. A when he earned Silver Star at Buna)

Date of Action: 28 January 1944

Citation Needed - Synopsis: “First Lieutenant (Infantry) George J. Hess, United States Army, was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy, in action against enemy forces on 28 January 1944. First Lieutenant Hess’ intrepid actions, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.” His actions were described by Robert J. Doyle in a pair of war-time dispatches filed from New Guinea on 3 and 4 Feb. ‘44. First Lt. Hess earned the DSC for his actions as co-leader of 50-man patrol from 1ST Bn., 128TH Inf. that was attacked by a 100-man Japanese force west of the Mot River near Teterei, along the western edge of the Saidor beachhead, on 28 Jan. '44. The patrol split into three groups while it worked its way back to friendly lines on the east side of the river. His group was evacuating 1 WIA and 2 KIA and became isolated on north bank of Mot River. At least twice he was nearly swept away while trying to carry a rope across the raging river, so his men could attempt to get back to the friendly side. The patrol killed 43 Japanese soldiers, but suffered 8 killed, 6 MIA, and 9 WIA.

General Orders: Headquarters, U.S. Army Forces in the Far East, General Orders No. 64 (1944)

Born: 23 February 1918 at Wisconsin

Home of Record: Edgerton, Wisconsin

Death: 13 July 1994

George Hess (1918)