Francis G. Ambrose
Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army

On 30 September 1944, Staff Sergeant Francis G. Ambrose was serving with Company E, 362nd Infantry Regiment, 91st Infantry Division in the European Theater of Operations.

On that day, SSG Ambrose was in action against enemy forces near La Costa, Italy. When his platoon encountered enemy machine gun fire, SSG Ambrose, alone and voluntarily, crossed an open field toward the hostile weapon. Engaging the enemy with rifle fire, he wounded the German leader. Continuing his advance while the enemy made a concerted attempt to kill him, SSG Ambrose wounded a 2nd German and forced the remaining 4 men to surrender. Later, when his platoon received heavy machine gun fire during an enemy counterattack, SSG Ambrose again moved forward to eliminate the menace. Crawling 100 yards to an advantageous position, he killed 3 Germans and silenced their machine gun in a brief fire fight. While returning to his platoon, he was mortally wounded by a sniper's bullet. SSG Ambrose's courageous actions and extraordinary heroism were vital factors in his platoon's success and 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
Army Good Conduct Medal
American Campaign Medal
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
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 Staff Sergeant Francis G. Ambrose (ASN: 19171861), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company E, 362d Infantry Regiment, 91st Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 30 September 1944, near La Costa, Italy. When his platoon encountered deadly enemy machine gun fire, Staff Sergeant Ambrose, alone and voluntarily, crossed an open field toward the hostile weapon. Engaging the enemy with accurate rifle fire, he wounded the German leader. Continuing his advance while the enemy made a concerted attempt to kill him, Staff Sergeant Ambrose wounded a second German and forced the remaining four to surrender. Later, when his platoon received heavy machine gun fire during an enemy counterattack, Staff Sergeant Ambrose again moved forward to eliminate the menace. Crawling one hundred yards to an advantageous position, he killed three Germans and silenced their machine gun in a brief fire fight. He was mortally wounded by a sniper's bullet while returning to his platoon. The daring, intrepidity and sheer determination of Staff Sergeant Ambrose were vital factors in his platoon's success, and his inspiring actions exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 91st Infantry Division, and the United States Army.

General Orders: Headquarters, Fifth U.S. Army, General Orders No.5 4 (January 6, 1945)

Burial

Staff Sergeant Francis G. Ambrose is buried at the Florence American Cemetery and Memorial in Florence, Città Metropolitana di Firenze, Toscana, Italy.

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