John D. Sprinkle
First Lieutenant, U.S. Army

On 10 July 1943, First Lieutenant John D. Sprinkle was serving with Company D, 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Infantry Division, Seventh U.S. Army.

On that day, 1LT Sprinkle’s unit was in action against German forces five miles north of Gela, Sicily. 1LT Sprinkle went forward with a small patrol to knock out a German pillbox that was preventing the advance of his units troops on the road to Vittoria. After he succeeded in eliminating it, they then drew fire from a blockhouse. 1LT Sprinkle had his men cover him as he went forward to make a personal reconnaissance and, as he got within grenade throwing range, he threw a grenade that inflicted sufficient damage to allow his men to advance and destroy the concrete bunker. Although 1LT Sprinkle was killed in this action, the results accomplished by his patrol enabled the main troop force to accomplish their mission. 1LT Sprinkle’s 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
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
Parachutist Badge with Combat Jump Star

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 First Lieutenant (Infantry) John D. Sprinkle (ASN: 0-1286387), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company D, 2d Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, in action against enemy forces on 10 July 1943, five miles north of ***, Sicily. On that date Lieutenant Sprinkle went forward with a small patrol to knock out an enemy pillbox, which was preventing the advance of our troops on the road to Vittoria. He succeeded in eliminating it, then drew fire from ***. He had his men cover him as he went forward to make a personal reconnaissance and got within grenade throwing range. He threw one grenade which effected sufficient damage to allow his men to advance and destroy the blockhouse. In the encounter, Lieutenant Sprinkle was killed, but the results accomplished by his patrol enabled the main force of troops to proceed to accomplishment of their mission. In this gallant action, Lieutenant Sprinkle lost his life. His inspiring leadership, 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 82d Airborne Division, and the United States Army.

Headquarters, Seventh U.S. Army, General Orders No. 19 (1943)

Burial

First Lieutenant John D. Sprinkle is buried at the Sicily-Rome American Cemetery and Memorial in Nettuno, Città Metropolitana di Roma Capitale, Lazio, Italy, in Plot I, Row 2, Grave 19.