Dupe A. Willingham
Technical Sergeant, U.S. Army

On 23 August 1944, Technical Sergeant Dupe A. Willingham was serving with Company G, 2nd Battalion, 11th Infantry Regiment, 5th Infantry Division, Third U.S. Army in the European Theater of Operations.

On that day, TSGT Willingham’s unit was in action against German forces in France during Operation Overlord. TSGT Willingham was acting as platoon sergeant of the 2nd Platoon of Company G during the assault upon Fountainebleu, France. When his commanding officer called for a volunteer to cross the Seine River with him for the purpose of reconnoitering the German position there, TSGT Willingham unhesitatingly volunteered despite the fact that the crossing point was under intense enemy fire. Paddling a canoe, the 2 men reached the far side of the Seine where the officer was pinned down by heavy German fire when his position was discovered. Still under heavy fire, TSGT Willingham re-crossed the river to direct the troops over to the enemy shore but, finding this impossible due to the intense fire, he built up a strong firing line. Under cover of this friendly fire, the officer was able to swim back across the Seine River and rejoin G Company. TSGT Willingham’s bold, courageous actions and extraordinary heroism that day earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

TSGT Willingham was Killed in Action the next day, 24 August, as the 5th Infantry Division crossed the Seine River at Montereau, France.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Bronze Star Medal
Purple Heart
Army Good Conduct Medal
American Defense Service Medal
American Campaign Medal
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with Arrowhead Pin and 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 Technical Sergeant Dupe A. Willingham (ASN: 15060098), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company G, 11th Infantry Regiment, 5th Infantry Division, in France. Sergeant Willingham, on 23 August 1944, was acting as platoon sergeant of the 2d Platoon, Company G, during the assault upon Fountainebleu, France. When his commanding officer called for a volunteer to cross the Seine River with him for the purpose of reconnoitering the enemy position there, Sergeant Willingham volunteered without hesitation despite the fact that the point of crossing was under intense enemy fire. Paddling a canoe they reached the far side of the river where the officer was pinned down by heavy enemy fire when his position was discovered. Sergeant Willingham re-crossed the river, still under fire, to direct the troops over to the enemy shore, but finding this impossible because of the intense fire, he built up a strong firing line. Under cover of this friendly fire the officer was able to swim back across the river and rejoin his company. The inspiring courage of Sergeant Willingham, his heroic action accomplished in the face of grave danger, and his supreme devotion to duty exemplify the finest traditions of the service.

Headquarters, Third U.S. Army, General Orders No. 75 (October 21, 1944)

Burial

Technical Sergeant Dupe A. Willingham is buried at the Brittany American Cemetery and Memorial in Saint-James, Departement de la Manche, Basse-Normandie, France in Plot I, Row 6, Grave 22.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56350639/dupe-a-willingham