William Katsoulakos
Private, U.S. Army

On 23 June 1944, Private William Katsoulakos was serving with Company E, 60th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division, First U.S. Army.

On that day, PVT Katsoulakos’ unit was in action against German forces at Flottemanville-Hague, France. During an assault on a German hill position, PVT Katsoulakos continued advancing although he had suffered a severe head wound. After the deadly enemy fire resulted in the loss of their platoon leader, the remainder of his platoon had become disorganized. Under heavy German machine gun fire, PVT Katsoulakos bravely maneuvered forward alone, stormed an enemy pillbox with grenades and bayonet, and completely destroyed the position, killing its 4 occupants. PVT Katsoulakos then reorganized his platoon and directed its advance to the objective. PVT Katsoulakos’ selfless, courageous actions 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 with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
Army Good Conduct Medal
American Campaign Medal
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with Arrowhead Pin and Silver Star
World War II Victory Medal
Croix de Guerre (France) with Bronze Star (France)
Combat Infantryman Badge

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 Private William Katsoulakos (ASN: 32726754), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company E, 60th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 23 June 1944, at Flottemanville-Hague, France. During an assault on an enemy hill position, Private Katsoulakos continued to advance even though he had suffered a severe head wound. The remainder of his platoon had become disorganized by the deadly enemy fire, which resulted in the loss of their platoon leader. Under fierce enemy machine gun fire, Private Katsoulakos courageously maneuvered forward alone, stormed an enemy pillbox with grenades and bayonet and completely wiped out the pillbox, killing the four occupants. After this act Private Katsoulakos reorganized his platoon and directed the advance to their objective. Private Katsoulakos' 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 9th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.

General Orders: Headquarters, First U.S. Army, General Orders No. 70 (October 17, 1944)

Burial

Private William Katsoulakos is buried at the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial in Colleville-sur-Mer, Departement du Calvados, Basse-Normandie, France in Plot E, Row 17, Grave 33.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56646244/william-katsoulakos