William H. Pfeil
Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army

On 8 and 9 November 1942, Second Lieutenant William H. Pfeil was serving with the 26th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, U.S. Army in the North African Theater of Operations.

On 8 November, 2LT Pfeil’s unit was in action against German forces at Oran, North Africa during the combat amphibious assault on North Africa, part of Operation Torch. While on the beachhead on 9 November, 2LT Pfeil’s courageous actions and extraordinary heroism 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
American Defense Service Medal
American Campaign Medal
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with Arrowhead Pin and Bronze Star
World War II Victory Medal
Combat Infantryman Badge

Distinguished Service Cross Citation (Synopsis)

Second Lieutenant William H. Pfeil (ASN: 0-449502), 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 the 26th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 9 November 1942, at Oran, North Africa. Second Lieutenant Pfeil'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 1st Infantry Division, and the United States Army.

Headquarters, U.S. Army-North African Theater of Operations, General Orders No. 22 (1943)

Burial

Second Lieutenant William H. Pfeil is buried at the North Africa American Cemetery and Memorial in Carthage, Tunis, Tunisia in Plot E, Row 9, Grave 17.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56249642/william-h-pfeil