William Clarence Felkins, Jr.
Captain, U.S. Army

In October 1944, Captain William Clarence Felkins, Jr. was serving with the 387th Field Artillery Battalion, 104th Infantry Division, First U.S. Army.

On 31 October and 1 November, CPT Felkins’ unit was in action against German forces in Holland during the Battle of Hürtgen Forest. CPT Felkins voluntarily led a patrol across a river and into enemy territory to drive off hostile troops and tanks that had taken a heavy toll of an isolated infantry battalion. He adjusted a devastating artillery concentration upon the enemy positions that killed many Germans and forced the withdrawal of several tanks. As the artillery fire lifted, CPT Felkins advanced far ahead of the patrol while under intense machine gun fire. As he prepared to lead a charge upon the enemy, he was fatally wounded. CPT Felkins' selfless, heroic actions resulted in the safe withdrawal of 120 men, many of whom were severely wounded, and enabled 2 companies to maintain their critical position until the main bridgehead was later established. CPT Felkins’ 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 and Awards

Distinguished Service Cross
Purple Heart
American Campaign Medal
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with Bronze Star
World War II Victory Medal

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 Captain (Field Artillery) William C. Felkins, Jr. (ASN: 0-1167832), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with the 387th Field Artillery Battalion, 104th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 31 October 1944 and 1 November 1944, in Holland. Captain Felkins, displaying great personal courage, voluntarily led a patrol across a river and into dangerous enemy territory to drive off hostile troops and tanks which had taken a heavy toll of an isolated infantry battalion. He personally adjusted a devastating artillery concentration upon the enemy positions which killed many Germans and forced the withdrawal of several tanks. As the artillery fire lifted, Captain Felkins, with complete disregard for his own personal safety, advanced far ahead of the patrol while subjected to intense machine gun fire. As he prepared to lead a charge upon the enemy, he was fatally wounded. Captain Felkins' heroic actions resulted in the safe withdrawal of 120 men, many of whom were severely wounded, and enabled two companies to maintain their critical position until the main bridgehead was later established. His 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 104th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.

General Orders: Headquarters, First U.S. Army, General Orders No. 100 (December 23, 1944)

Burial

Captain William Clarence Felkins, Jr. is buried at the Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery and Memorial in Henri-Chapelle, Arrondissement de Verviers, Liège, Belgium, in Plot C, Row 3, Grave 38.

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