Dale T. Proctor
Private First Class, U.S. Army

On 29 September 1944, Private First Class Dale T. Proctor was serving as a Telephone Operator and Observer with Company K, 301st Infantry Regiment, 94th Infantry Division, Third U.S. Army.

On that day, PFC Proctor’s unit was in action against German forces near Pont Scorff, France. When a German artillery barrage was concentrated on his position, PFC Proctor was severely wounded but remained at his post providing accurate fire directions as aid men dressed his wounds. Although in great pain, PFC Proctor pleaded to be allowed to continue and that had to pry the telephone from his hand in order to evacuate him. PFC Proctor died of his wounds the next day. PFC Proctor’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
Army Good Conduct Medal
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

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 First Class Dale T. Proctor (ASN: 17197243), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as a Telephone Operator and Observer with Company K, 301st Infantry Regiment, 94th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 29 September 1944, near Pont Sccorff, France. Private Proctor was severely wounded when the enemy concentrated an artillery barrage on his position, but he remained at his post and continued to give accurate fire directions as aid men were dressing his wounds. Even then, although suffering great pain, he pleaded to be allowed to continue, and it was necessary to pry the telephone from his hand in order to evacuate him. This brave soldier died from his wounds the following day, but his conspicuous heroism, his courageous determination, and supreme devotion to duty live on as an inspiration to his fellow soldiers.

Headquarters, Third U.S. Army, General Orders No. 49 (February 28, 1945)

Burial

Private First Class Dale T. Proctor is buried at the Brittany American Cemetery and Memorial in Saint-James, Departement de la Manche, Basse-Normandie, France in Plot G, Row 9, Grave 7.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56351617/dale-t-proctor