George T. Dickey
Private First Class, U.S. Army

On 8-9 September 1944, Private First Class George T. Dickey was serving with Company K, 11th Infantry Regiment, 5th Infantry Division, Third U.S. Army.

On those days, PFC Dickey's unit was in action against German forces at the Dornot bridgehead across the Moselle River, 5 miles south of Metz, France. PFC Dickey and Private First Class Frank Lalopa volunteered to man a forward observation post during the night. Although they were warned to return to the lines of K Company when the Germans attacked, the men remained at their posts firing into the advancing German troops until they were killed. The following morning, 22 enemy dead were found near their bodies, some within 3 yards of their position. PFC Dickey's courageous actions and extraordinary heroism that day, at the cost of his life, earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross. [PFC Frank Lalopa also received the DSC.]

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Bronze Star Medal (Merit)
Purple Heart
Army Good Conduct Medal
American Campaign Medal
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 2 Bronze Stars
World War II Victory Medal
Combat Infantryman Badge

Distinguished Service Cross Citation (Synopsis)

Private First Class George T. Dickey (ASN: 33587715), United States Army, was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company K, 11th Infantry Regiment, 5th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 8 September 1944, at the Dornot bridgehead across the Moselle River, five miles south of Metz. Private First Class George T. Dickey and Private First Class Frank Lalopa volunteered to man a forward observation post during the night. When the Germans attacked, they were warned to return to their lines, but instead, stayed at their posts firing into the advancing Germans until they were both killed. On the following morning, twenty-two enemy dead were found near their bodies, some within three yards of their position. Private First Class Dickey's intrepid actions, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty at the cost of his life, exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 5th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.

General Orders: Headquarters, Third U.S. Army, General Orders No. 109 (1944)

Memorialization

The remains of Private First Class George T. Dickey have never been recovered. He is memorialized with his name inscribed on the Tablets of the Missing at the Lorraine American Cemetery and Memorial in Saint-Avold, Departement de la Moselle, Lorraine, France.

https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=56654438