First Lieutenant, U.S. Army. World War II.
On 8 March 1945, First Lieutenant Ray F. Axford was serving with Troop C, 25th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron (Mechanized), 4th Armored Division, Third U.S. Army in the European Theater of Operations.
On that day, 1LT Axford's unit was in action against German forces in Germany. During a reconnaissance patrol near Nickenich, 1LT Axford observed a large enemy force preparing to evacuate the town. He then led his platoon in a daring, skillfully executed attack. Inspired by his bold leadership, his men killed 15 and captured 200 German soldiers; they also destroyed and/or captured a large amount of equipment. The bold action so confused the numerically-superior hostile forces that the platoon suffered no casualties. 1LT Axford's inspired leadership and courageous actions earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.
Medals, Awards and Badges
Distinguished Service Cross
American Campaign Medal
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 3 Bronze Stars
World War II Victory Medal
Army of Occupation 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 pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to First Lieutenant (Cavalry) Ray F. Axford (ASN: 0-1031372), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Troop C, 25th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron (Mechanized), 4th Armored Division, in action against enemy forces on 8 March 1945, in Germany. During a reconnaissance patrol near Nickenich, Germany, Lieutenant Axford observed a large enemy force preparing to evacuate the town, and exhibiting cool initiative and heroic leadership, led his platoon in an audacious, skillfully executed attack. Inspired by his bold actions his men killed fifteen, captured 200 of the enemy soldiers, destroyed or captured a large amount of equipment and so confused the numerically superior hostile forces that the platoon suffered no casualties. First Lieutenant Axford's intrepid actions, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 4th Armored Division, and the United States Army.
General Orders: Headquarters, Third U.S. Army, General Orders No. 153 (June 25, 1945)
Honors
First Lieutenant Ray F. Axford has Honoree Record 311633, with biography, at MilitaryHallofHonor.com.
On 8 March 1945, First Lieutenant Ray F. Axford was serving with Troop C, 25th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron (Mechanized), 4th Armored Division, Third U.S. Army in the European Theater of Operations.
On that day, 1LT Axford's unit was in action against German forces in Germany. During a reconnaissance patrol near Nickenich, 1LT Axford observed a large enemy force preparing to evacuate the town. He then led his platoon in a daring, skillfully executed attack. Inspired by his bold leadership, his men killed 15 and captured 200 German soldiers; they also destroyed and/or captured a large amount of equipment. The bold action so confused the numerically-superior hostile forces that the platoon suffered no casualties. 1LT Axford's inspired leadership and courageous actions earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.
Medals, Awards and Badges
Distinguished Service Cross
American Campaign Medal
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 3 Bronze Stars
World War II Victory Medal
Army of Occupation 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 pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to First Lieutenant (Cavalry) Ray F. Axford (ASN: 0-1031372), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Troop C, 25th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron (Mechanized), 4th Armored Division, in action against enemy forces on 8 March 1945, in Germany. During a reconnaissance patrol near Nickenich, Germany, Lieutenant Axford observed a large enemy force preparing to evacuate the town, and exhibiting cool initiative and heroic leadership, led his platoon in an audacious, skillfully executed attack. Inspired by his bold actions his men killed fifteen, captured 200 of the enemy soldiers, destroyed or captured a large amount of equipment and so confused the numerically superior hostile forces that the platoon suffered no casualties. First Lieutenant Axford's intrepid actions, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 4th Armored Division, and the United States Army.
General Orders: Headquarters, Third U.S. Army, General Orders No. 153 (June 25, 1945)
Honors
First Lieutenant Ray F. Axford has Honoree Record 311633, with biography, at MilitaryHallofHonor.com.
First Lieutenant, U.S. Army. World War II.
On 8 March 1945, First Lieutenant Ray F. Axford was serving with Troop C, 25th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron (Mechanized), 4th Armored Division, Third U.S. Army in the European Theater of Operations.
On that day, 1LT Axford's unit was in action against German forces in Germany. During a reconnaissance patrol near Nickenich, 1LT Axford observed a large enemy force preparing to evacuate the town. He then led his platoon in a daring, skillfully executed attack. Inspired by his bold leadership, his men killed 15 and captured 200 German soldiers; they also destroyed and/or captured a large amount of equipment. The bold action so confused the numerically-superior hostile forces that the platoon suffered no casualties. 1LT Axford's inspired leadership and courageous actions earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.
Medals, Awards and Badges
Distinguished Service Cross
American Campaign Medal
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 3 Bronze Stars
World War II Victory Medal
Army of Occupation 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 pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to First Lieutenant (Cavalry) Ray F. Axford (ASN: 0-1031372), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Troop C, 25th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron (Mechanized), 4th Armored Division, in action against enemy forces on 8 March 1945, in Germany. During a reconnaissance patrol near Nickenich, Germany, Lieutenant Axford observed a large enemy force preparing to evacuate the town, and exhibiting cool initiative and heroic leadership, led his platoon in an audacious, skillfully executed attack. Inspired by his bold actions his men killed fifteen, captured 200 of the enemy soldiers, destroyed or captured a large amount of equipment and so confused the numerically superior hostile forces that the platoon suffered no casualties. First Lieutenant Axford's intrepid actions, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 4th Armored Division, and the United States Army.
General Orders: Headquarters, Third U.S. Army, General Orders No. 153 (June 25, 1945)
Honors
First Lieutenant Ray F. Axford has Honoree Record 311633, with biography, at MilitaryHallofHonor.com.
On 8 March 1945, First Lieutenant Ray F. Axford was serving with Troop C, 25th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron (Mechanized), 4th Armored Division, Third U.S. Army in the European Theater of Operations.
On that day, 1LT Axford's unit was in action against German forces in Germany. During a reconnaissance patrol near Nickenich, 1LT Axford observed a large enemy force preparing to evacuate the town. He then led his platoon in a daring, skillfully executed attack. Inspired by his bold leadership, his men killed 15 and captured 200 German soldiers; they also destroyed and/or captured a large amount of equipment. The bold action so confused the numerically-superior hostile forces that the platoon suffered no casualties. 1LT Axford's inspired leadership and courageous actions earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.
Medals, Awards and Badges
Distinguished Service Cross
American Campaign Medal
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 3 Bronze Stars
World War II Victory Medal
Army of Occupation 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 pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to First Lieutenant (Cavalry) Ray F. Axford (ASN: 0-1031372), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Troop C, 25th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron (Mechanized), 4th Armored Division, in action against enemy forces on 8 March 1945, in Germany. During a reconnaissance patrol near Nickenich, Germany, Lieutenant Axford observed a large enemy force preparing to evacuate the town, and exhibiting cool initiative and heroic leadership, led his platoon in an audacious, skillfully executed attack. Inspired by his bold actions his men killed fifteen, captured 200 of the enemy soldiers, destroyed or captured a large amount of equipment and so confused the numerically superior hostile forces that the platoon suffered no casualties. First Lieutenant Axford's intrepid actions, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 4th Armored Division, and the United States Army.
General Orders: Headquarters, Third U.S. Army, General Orders No. 153 (June 25, 1945)
Honors
First Lieutenant Ray F. Axford has Honoree Record 311633, with biography, at MilitaryHallofHonor.com.
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