Dennis E. Pingel
Technician Fifth Grade, U.S. Army

On 29 May 1944, Technician Fifth Grade Dennis E. Pingel was serving with the 147th Field Artillery Battalion, U.S. Army in the Far East.

On that day, TEC5 Pingel’s unit was in action against Japanese forces in Dutch New Guinea. When the Japanese attacked American positions, a grenade was thrown into the trench occupied by TEC5 Pingel and 2 other men. Instantly, TEC5 Pingel threw himself upon the grenade, smothering the explosion with his body. TEC5 Pingel’s selfless, courageous action and extraordinary heroism that day earned him, at the cost of his life, 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 Defense Service Medal
American Campaign Medal
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with Arrowhead Pin and 2 Bronze Stars
World War II Victory Medal

Distinguished Service Cross Citation

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Technician Fifth Grade Dennis E. Pingel (ASN: 37071217), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with the 147th Field Artillery Battalion, in action against enemy forces on 29 May 1944, near ****, Dutch New Guinea. When the enemy attacked our positions, a grenade was thrown into the trench occupied by Technician Pingel and two other men. Instantly, and with heroic self-sacrifice, he threw himself upon the grenade, smothering the explosion with his body. Technician Pingel thus gave his life to save his comrades. His 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 and the United States Army.

Headquarters, U.S. Army Forces in the Far East, General Orders No. 87 (1944)

Burial

Technician Fifth Grade Dennis E. Pingel is buried at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial in Manila, Capital District, National Capital Region, Philippines in Plot N, Row 3, Grave 36.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56784833/dennis-e-pingel