BIOGRAPHY:
Lieutenant Colonel Paul W. McCollum is buried at Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery and Memorial, province of Liège, Belgium. Plot: A, Row: 10, Grave: 28.
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DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS (DSC)
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Rank:
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Lieutenant Colonel (Lieutenant-colonel)
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Unit:
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3rd Battalion, 120th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division "Old Hickory", U.S. Army
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Action:
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The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Paul W. McCollum (0-315283), Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry), U.S. 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, near Saint Lô 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.
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Details:
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Awarded posthumously awarded.
Headquarters, First U.S. Army, General Orders No. 19 (January 31, 1945).
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SILVER STAR
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Rank:
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Lieutenant Colonel (Lieutenant-colonel)
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Unit:
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Commanding Officer 3rd Battalion, 120th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division "Old Hickory", U.S. Army
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Details:
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Citation unavailable.
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LEGION OF MERIT - US MILITARY
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Rank:
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Lieutenant Colonel (Lieutenant-colonel)
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Unit:
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Commanding Officer 3rd Battalion, 120th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division "Old Hickory", U.S. Army
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PURPLE HEART
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Rank:
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Lieutenant Colonel (Lieutenant-colonel)
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Unit:
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Commanding Officer 3rd Battalion, 120th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division "Old Hickory", U.S. Army
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PURPLE HEART
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Rank:
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Lieutenant Colonel (Lieutenant-colonel)
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Unit:
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Commanding Officer 3rd Battalion, 120th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division "Old Hickory", U.S. Army
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Details:
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This award was obtained in the form of an Oak Leave to be attached on the ribbon of the first award.
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Provide alterations or additional information |
| Information source(s): |
- Hewitt, R.L., Workhorse of the Western Front – The Story of the 30th Infantry Division, The Battery Press, Nashville, USA, 1980
- Author: Officers of the Regiment, History of the 120th Infantry Regiment, Infantry Journal Press, Washington D.C., USA, 1947
- The 30th Infantry Division In World War II
- American Battle Monuments Commission
- Home of Heroes.com
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