Unit Recognition
All who were wounded and captured recovered to return home after the war. In 1965, the U.S. Army published a multi-volume history of World War II, including one on The Ardennes: The Battle of the Bulge. Author Hugh M. Cole only briefly mentioned Bouck's platoon, which upset former platoon member William James (who had changed his name from Tsakanikas). James contacted Bouck and encouraged him to get his men proper recognition.
Bouck contacted his former division commander, Maj. Gen. Walter E. Lauer, who nominated Bouck for a Silver Star. In June 1966, a Silver Star arrived in Bouck's mailbox, but no other platoon member was recognized. Bouck was shortly afterward interviewed by John S. D. Eisenhower for his book The Bitter Woods, which described the actions of the unit in detail. Columnist Jack Anderson unsuccessfully campaigned for William James (Tsakanikas) to be awarded the Medal of Honor. Congressional hearings on the men's action resulted in a recommendation to the Secretary of Defense that Bill James be awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. The U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force concurred, but the Marine Corp responded that James failed to show sufficient "intrepidity". The hearings also resulted in Public Law 96-145, which waived the time limitation exclusively for members of the platoon. It was signed by President Jimmy Carter on December 14, 1979.
On October 26, 1981, after considerable lobbying and letter-writing by Bouck, the men of the unit were finally decorated. Fourteen of the 18 were present at the ceremony hosted by Secretary of the Army John O. Marsh. Every man was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation. Four received the Distinguished Service Cross, five the Silver Star, and nine got the Bronze Star with V device for their 10-hour struggle against a 500-man strong German battalion.
Platoon members and the citations they received were:
- First Lt. Lyle J. Bouck Jr. (DSC)
- Tech. Sgt. William L. Slape (DSC)
- Pfc. William James Tsakanikas (DSC)
- Pfc. Risto "Milo" Milsovech (DSC)
- Pvt. Robert D. Adams (Bronze Star Medal with V device for heroism)
- Pvt. Robert D. Baasch (Bronze Star Medal with V device for heroism)
- Sgt. William D. Dustman (Bronze Star Medal with V device for heroism)
- Pvt. Clifford R. Fansher (Bronze Star Medal with V device for heroism)
- T/3 James Fort (Bronze Star Medal with V device for heroism)
- Cpl. Samuel L. Jenkins (Bronze Star Medal with V device for heroism)
- Pvt. Joseph A. McConnell (Bronze Star Medal with V device for heroism)
- Cpl. Robert H. "Mop" Preston (Bronze Star Medal with V device for heroism)
- Sgt. George H. "Pappy" Redmond (Bronze Star Medal with V device for heroism)
- Pvt. John B. Creger (Silver Star)
- Pvt. Louis J. Kalil (Silver Star)
- Cpl. Aubrey P. "Schnoz" McGeehee (Silver Star)
- Pfc. Jordan H. "Pop" Robinson (Silver Star)
- Pvt. James R. "Sil" Silvola (Silver Star)
Lieutenant Warren Springer and his three-man artillery observation unit — Sergeant Peter Gacki, T/4 Willard Wibben, and T/5 Billy Queen - also joined the men in battle. Queen was killed in action before the remainder were captured. All four were awarded the DSC for their valor at Lanzerath.
In 2004, the book The Longest Winter was published, documenting the defensive actions of the platoon. Bouck cooperated with the author, Alex Kershaw, but imposed one condition, "I told him that other authors never wrote about the other men in the platoon, just me. I said I wouldn't talk to him unless he promised that he'd also write about the other men."
On May 12, 2005, veterans of the 99th Infantry Division and local citizens of Lanzerath, Belgium, dedicated a monument composed of a small brass plaque alongside a bench and a United States flag to commemorate the fight on the grassy hill overlooking the village.
Uncommon valor was a common valorIn honor and memory of all soldiers who fought here
December 16th, 1944
I&R Platoon
394th Regiment
Read more about this topic: Battle Of Lanzerath Ridge, Aftermath
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