Virgil J. Gooch
Private First Class, U.S. Army

On 4 April 1945, Private First Class Virgil J. Gooch was serving with Company M, 398th Infantry Regiment, 100th Infantry Division, Seventh U.S. Army in the European Theater of Operations.

On that day, PFC Gooch’s unit was in action against German forces in the vicinity of Heilbronn, Germany, as it established and enlarged a bridgehead across the Neckar River. PFC Gooch’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.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Purple Heart
Army Good Conduct Medal
American Campaign Medal
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 3 Bronze Stars
World War II Victory Medal
Combat Infantryman Badge

Distinguished Service Cross Citation (Synopsis)

Private First Class Virgil J. Gooch (ASN: 35247218), 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 M, 398th Infantry Regiment, 100th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 4 April 1945, in the vicinity of Heilbronn, Germany. Private First Class Gooch'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 100th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.

General Orders: Headquarters, Seventh U.S. Army, General Orders No. 603 (1945)

Burial

Private First Class Virgil J. Gooch is buried at the Lorraine American Cemetery and Memorial in Saint-Avold. Departement de la Moselle, Lorraine, France in Plot B, Row 36, Grave 26.

https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=56655543