Silver Star for 41st Infantry GI

I'm researching an incident that occurred on March 1st, 1945 during the advance of the 2nd AD on the Cologne Plains to the Rhine River. The 2nd Platoon leader's light tank, from A Company, 67th AR, was hit and disabled. No one was hurt and the crew dug a hole behind the tank for protection. A rifleman from the 41st Infantry Regiment volunteered to enter the turret of the disabled tank, which was still under fire, and load if one of the crew would act as gunner. Corporal Moore from the crew became the gunner while the rifleman loaded and they knocked out the German guns that disabled them. The Cpl Moore who manned the gun was awarded the Bronze Star, the platoon leader who remained huddled behind the tank received a Silver Star, and the rifleman who volunteered to load was also awarded the Silver Star.

I am trying to determine the name of the rifleman from the 41st Infantry Regiment that earned the Silver Star for his courage on March 1,1945. Is there any database that goes by unit, or date? All the Silver Star databases that I found go by name.
Thanks for any help.

 

I just wanted to pass along some good news on my research.
I was able to locate the the General order that listed the Silver Star awards for the period of March 1,1945. Since the 41st Infantry was an organic component of the 2nd Armored Division, the awards for the 41st was included in the 2nd Armored GO. In GO #26 Hq 2d AD 27 Apr 45, there were only two 41st Infantry solders that earned the SS on March 1, 1945. They were T-5 Ivan L. Aleshire, ASN #36002426, and PFC Cam M. Speight ASN #14012840. So when things get back to normal at the National Archives I'll get the citation for each and learn the identity. This same GO listed the SS award to the platoon leader, and the BS for Cpl. Moore.

 

..SIlver Star for knocking out the guns? must be more to the story

 

I was able to get Cpl. Moore's Bronze Star citation from his son--could shed some light on the story.

Citation: Corporal Ear D. Moore, 33344569, 67th Armored Regiment, United States Army. For heroic achievement in connection with military operations against the enemy on 1 March 1945 in Germany. On the 1 March 1945, near Grefrath, Germany, Corporal Moore fired his 37mm tank gun so effectively that he was instrumental in demolishing an enemy strongpoint consisting of two 88mm guns, two 75mm guns and several 20mm anti-tank guns which were manned by thirty eight enemy soldiers. The valor and courage displayed by Corporal Moore reflect great credit upon himself and are keeping with the highest tradition of the military service.

 

..well, a light tank going against 88s and 75s--I'd say that was heroic ...wish we could get the details

 

Unfortunately, the 67th's online AAR is less than helpful with those details.

 

..I would think, since there are so many books about WW2, a Silver Star action like that just might be somewhere---especially concerning a disabled tank....that's not too common
..Audie Murphy got the MOH for the action in the disabled TD......

 

Looked through "2nd Armored Division in Operation Grenade". It had a few sentences on the action, but no details.

 

Takao, is "2nd Armored Division in Operation Grenade" a book, or a chapter in a book? The "History, 67th Armored Regiment" briefly mentions that Lt. Hoysa's tank was disabled but nothing about destroying the German strongpoint. I noticed the "History" favored certain companies and platoon leaders. For instance, Lt. Lewis, 1st Platoon of A company has his name throughout the 1st Bn part of the book. (The book is actually three histories, each Battalion is written up individually and appears to be written by three different authors) I found that very helpful because my brother was part of the 1st Bn under Lt. Lewis, and filled in a lot of the gaps of what he did.
I could post Mr. Moore's letter regarding this action but it doesn't speak too well of Lt. Hoysa, and I don't think it would be ethical in a public forum--besides, it's one man's opinion and could be entirely wrong.

 

Part of Mr. Moore's letter that related this action " Thank God the German strong point had no armor piercing ammo left. Their high explosive ammo was unable to penetrate our tanks armor. Had they of had armor piercing ammo, it could have penetrated our tank and caused an explosion when it came in contact with our ammo. Anyway, I kept firing numerous rounds of high explosive, armor piercing ,and occasionlly, some canister ammo."

 

Miltary reports I hace come across...2 actually...No much in the way of detail.
Research Report, Armored School, May 1950
Title is "Armor in OPERATION GRENADE(2d Armd Div)
PDF Link: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct...0Grenade.pdf&usg=AOvVaw0_22vnK4_hViJ_z3gtyA4P

Advanced Officers Class Military Monograph: "2nd Armored Division in Operation Grenade" May 1948
PDF Link: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct...A.%20MAJ.pdf&usg=AOvVaw21AGiQ1rWGjzMXCLVl88D-

 

Thank you for the likes, and also for the links Takao, I'll definitely download and read them. When writing about a division action, in fact even regimental action during a battle like the Bulge or Operation Grenade, I think it would be pretty hard to try to include individual actions, with the exception of those that involve higher ranking officers. So much was happening that a complete blow by blow description just would not be possible. That's why the stories of these veterans are so important to record.