Ralph Alexander Hardee
First Lieutenant, U.S. Army

On 9 August 1944, First Lieutenant Ralph Alexander Hardee was serving with the 11th Infantry Regiment, 5th Infantry Division.

On that day, 1LT Hardee’s unit was in action against German forces at Angers, France, in an attack to capture the town. That mission was accomplished the next day, 10 August. 1LT Hardee’s courageous actions and extraordinary heroism that day, at the cost of his life, 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 2 Bronze Stars
World War II Victory Medal
Combat Infantryman Badge

Distinguished Service Cross Citation (Synopsis)

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Ralph A. Hardee (0-439504), First Lieutenant (Infantry), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with the 11th Infantry Regiment, 5th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 9 August 1944. First Lieutenant Hardee'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 5th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.

Headquarters, European Theater of Operations, U.S. Army, General Orders No. 122 (1944)

Burial

First Lieutenant Ralph Alexander Hardee is buried at Brittany American Cemetery and Memorial in Saint-James, Departement de la Manche, Basse-Normandie, France in Plot G, Row 3, Grave 17.