Paul William McCollum
Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army

On 19 July 1944, Lieutenant Colonel Paul William McCollum was serving as a Battalion Commander with the 120th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division, First U.S. Army.

On that day, LTC McCollum’s unit was in action against German forces in France. When the leading elements of his battalion were pinned to the ground by intense direct fire from 3 dug-in tanks, machine guns and small arms, LTC McCollum spurned a suggestion to withdraw and immediately issued orders for a frontal assault upon the German-held hill. Assuming a position among the foremost troops, LTC McCollum led the company across an open field subjected to devastating mortar, artillery and rifle fire. Shells falling in the proximity of LTC McCollum killed his radio operator at his side and inflicted heavy losses upon the assaulting force. Although LTC McCollum suffered a shell fragment wound, he continued forward and personally led a furious assault upon the strongly-fortified positions, forcing the German defenders to withdraw. LTC McCollum’s aggressive personal leadership, courageous actions and extraordinary heroism that day earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

LTC McCollum was killed in action on 6 October 1944 while his Battalion was attacking the heavily-defended city of Aachen, Germany.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Silver Star Medal
Legion of Merit
Purple Heart with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
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 Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) Paul W. McCollum (ASN: 0-315283), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with the 120th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 19 July 1944, in France. When the leading elements of his battalion were pinned to the ground by intense direct fire from three dug-in tanks, machine guns and small arms, Lieutenant Colonel McCollum, spurning a suggestion to withdraw, immediately issued orders for a frontal assault upon the stubbornly held enemy hill. Assuming a position among the foremost troops, he courageously led the company across an open field subjected to devastating mortar, artillery and rifle fire. Shells falling in the proximity of this valiant officer killed his radio operator at his side and inflicted heavy losses upon the assaulting force. Although he suffered a shell fragment wound, Lieutenant Colonel McCollum unflinchingly continued forward and personally led a furious assault upon the strongly fortified positions, forcing the defenders to withdraw. The extraordinary heroism, tenacity and aggressive personal leadership displayed by Lieutenant Colonel McCollum exemplified the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 30th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.

Burial

Lieutenant Colonel Paul William McCollum is buried at the Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery and Memorial in Henri-Chapelle, Arrondissement de Verviers, Liège, Belgium in Plot A, Row 10, Grave 28.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56278824/paul-william-mccollum