John O. Boland
First Lieutenant, U.S. Army

On 14 April 1945, First Lieutenant John O. Boland was serving with Company G, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, Twelfth Army Group.

On that day, 1LT Boland's unit was in action against German forces in the European Theater of Operations. 1LT Boland's courageous actions and extraordinary heroism on that day 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
American Campaign Medal
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 3 Bronze Stars
World War II Victory Medal
Presidential Unit Citation with 2 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters
Combat Infantryman Badge

Distinguished Service Cross Citation (Synopsis)

First Lieutenant (Infantry) John O. Boland (ASN: 0-1328004), 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 G, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 14 April 1945. First Lieutenant Boland'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 2d Infantry Division, and the United States Army.

General Orders: Headquarters, Twelfth Army Group, General Orders No. 44 (1945)

Burial

First Lieutenant John O. Boland is buried at the Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial in Margraten, Eijsden-Margraten Municipality in Limburg, Netherlands in Plot I, Row 14, Grave 14.