Lt. Lloyd L. Polette, Jr. was a paratrooper with Company F, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division "All-American", U.S. Army in World War II.
Was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC). Citation reads:
"Lloyd L. Polette, Jr., O-1309822, First Lieutenant, Infantry, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy on 17-18 September 1944, near Nijmegen, Holland. First Lieutenant Polette, platoon leader of Company F, 508th Parachute Infantry, by his courage and intrepidy, destroyed two enemy gun positions and led a determined assault upon an important bridge. On 17 September 1944, Lieutenant Polette led his platoon as advance party of his battalion on the advance through the outskirts of Nijmegen to the battalion objective, southwest of the city. He destroyed a 20-millimeter antiaircraft gun, which was placing effective fire upon the column, by moving to a position near the gun and attacking the position with an explosive grenade. At another point along the battalion route of advance, two enemy machine guns threatened the column with heavy fire. He directed his platoon in the destruction of one gun while he destroyed the second with a bazooka and a phosphorous grenade. On 18 September 1944, he led his platoon in an attack upon a bridge near Nijmegen, an important bridge crossing the Maas-Waal Canal. When his platoon was pinned down by enemy automatic weapons fire, Lieutenant Polette remained in an exposed position where he could best observe the enemy and direct the fire of his platoon. Although his automatic weapons were knocked out by German mortars, he continued to press the attack. After a quick reorganization of his depleted platoon, he led a second spirited attack which seized the position. The conduct of Lieutenant Polette inspired much confidence within his platoon. His willingness to personally lead every assault, and his complete indifference to danger was responsible for the success of his platoon mission. His conduct reflects the finest traditions of the military service. Entered military service from Shreveport, Louisiana."
He also was awarded the following: Silver Star; Silver Star in the form of an Oak Leaf Cluster attached to his first Silver Star; Bronze Star Medal; Purple Heart for wounds received in action on July 4, 1944 in the battle for Hill 95 near La Haye-du-Puits in Normandy, France; second Purple Heart posthumously awarded; British Military Cross (MC) posthumously awarded.
Lt. Polette was killed in action during the Battle of the Bulge on January 22, 1945.
Today, the 4th Brigade Combat Team of the 82nd Airborne Division at Ft. Bragg, NC has an annual competition called the Lt. Lloyd L. Polette Cup which is held to determine the brigade’s best lieutenant.
Was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC). Citation reads:
"Lloyd L. Polette, Jr., O-1309822, First Lieutenant, Infantry, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy on 17-18 September 1944, near Nijmegen, Holland. First Lieutenant Polette, platoon leader of Company F, 508th Parachute Infantry, by his courage and intrepidy, destroyed two enemy gun positions and led a determined assault upon an important bridge. On 17 September 1944, Lieutenant Polette led his platoon as advance party of his battalion on the advance through the outskirts of Nijmegen to the battalion objective, southwest of the city. He destroyed a 20-millimeter antiaircraft gun, which was placing effective fire upon the column, by moving to a position near the gun and attacking the position with an explosive grenade. At another point along the battalion route of advance, two enemy machine guns threatened the column with heavy fire. He directed his platoon in the destruction of one gun while he destroyed the second with a bazooka and a phosphorous grenade. On 18 September 1944, he led his platoon in an attack upon a bridge near Nijmegen, an important bridge crossing the Maas-Waal Canal. When his platoon was pinned down by enemy automatic weapons fire, Lieutenant Polette remained in an exposed position where he could best observe the enemy and direct the fire of his platoon. Although his automatic weapons were knocked out by German mortars, he continued to press the attack. After a quick reorganization of his depleted platoon, he led a second spirited attack which seized the position. The conduct of Lieutenant Polette inspired much confidence within his platoon. His willingness to personally lead every assault, and his complete indifference to danger was responsible for the success of his platoon mission. His conduct reflects the finest traditions of the military service. Entered military service from Shreveport, Louisiana."
He also was awarded the following: Silver Star; Silver Star in the form of an Oak Leaf Cluster attached to his first Silver Star; Bronze Star Medal; Purple Heart for wounds received in action on July 4, 1944 in the battle for Hill 95 near La Haye-du-Puits in Normandy, France; second Purple Heart posthumously awarded; British Military Cross (MC) posthumously awarded.
Lt. Polette was killed in action during the Battle of the Bulge on January 22, 1945.
Today, the 4th Brigade Combat Team of the 82nd Airborne Division at Ft. Bragg, NC has an annual competition called the Lt. Lloyd L. Polette Cup which is held to determine the brigade’s best lieutenant.
Lt. Lloyd L. Polette, Jr. was a paratrooper with Company F, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division "All-American", U.S. Army in World War II.
Was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC). Citation reads:
"Lloyd L. Polette, Jr., O-1309822, First Lieutenant, Infantry, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy on 17-18 September 1944, near Nijmegen, Holland. First Lieutenant Polette, platoon leader of Company F, 508th Parachute Infantry, by his courage and intrepidy, destroyed two enemy gun positions and led a determined assault upon an important bridge. On 17 September 1944, Lieutenant Polette led his platoon as advance party of his battalion on the advance through the outskirts of Nijmegen to the battalion objective, southwest of the city. He destroyed a 20-millimeter antiaircraft gun, which was placing effective fire upon the column, by moving to a position near the gun and attacking the position with an explosive grenade. At another point along the battalion route of advance, two enemy machine guns threatened the column with heavy fire. He directed his platoon in the destruction of one gun while he destroyed the second with a bazooka and a phosphorous grenade. On 18 September 1944, he led his platoon in an attack upon a bridge near Nijmegen, an important bridge crossing the Maas-Waal Canal. When his platoon was pinned down by enemy automatic weapons fire, Lieutenant Polette remained in an exposed position where he could best observe the enemy and direct the fire of his platoon. Although his automatic weapons were knocked out by German mortars, he continued to press the attack. After a quick reorganization of his depleted platoon, he led a second spirited attack which seized the position. The conduct of Lieutenant Polette inspired much confidence within his platoon. His willingness to personally lead every assault, and his complete indifference to danger was responsible for the success of his platoon mission. His conduct reflects the finest traditions of the military service. Entered military service from Shreveport, Louisiana."
He also was awarded the following: Silver Star; Silver Star in the form of an Oak Leaf Cluster attached to his first Silver Star; Bronze Star Medal; Purple Heart for wounds received in action on July 4, 1944 in the battle for Hill 95 near La Haye-du-Puits in Normandy, France; second Purple Heart posthumously awarded; British Military Cross (MC) posthumously awarded.
Lt. Polette was killed in action during the Battle of the Bulge on January 22, 1945.
Today, the 4th Brigade Combat Team of the 82nd Airborne Division at Ft. Bragg, NC has an annual competition called the Lt. Lloyd L. Polette Cup which is held to determine the brigade’s best lieutenant.
Was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC). Citation reads:
"Lloyd L. Polette, Jr., O-1309822, First Lieutenant, Infantry, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy on 17-18 September 1944, near Nijmegen, Holland. First Lieutenant Polette, platoon leader of Company F, 508th Parachute Infantry, by his courage and intrepidy, destroyed two enemy gun positions and led a determined assault upon an important bridge. On 17 September 1944, Lieutenant Polette led his platoon as advance party of his battalion on the advance through the outskirts of Nijmegen to the battalion objective, southwest of the city. He destroyed a 20-millimeter antiaircraft gun, which was placing effective fire upon the column, by moving to a position near the gun and attacking the position with an explosive grenade. At another point along the battalion route of advance, two enemy machine guns threatened the column with heavy fire. He directed his platoon in the destruction of one gun while he destroyed the second with a bazooka and a phosphorous grenade. On 18 September 1944, he led his platoon in an attack upon a bridge near Nijmegen, an important bridge crossing the Maas-Waal Canal. When his platoon was pinned down by enemy automatic weapons fire, Lieutenant Polette remained in an exposed position where he could best observe the enemy and direct the fire of his platoon. Although his automatic weapons were knocked out by German mortars, he continued to press the attack. After a quick reorganization of his depleted platoon, he led a second spirited attack which seized the position. The conduct of Lieutenant Polette inspired much confidence within his platoon. His willingness to personally lead every assault, and his complete indifference to danger was responsible for the success of his platoon mission. His conduct reflects the finest traditions of the military service. Entered military service from Shreveport, Louisiana."
He also was awarded the following: Silver Star; Silver Star in the form of an Oak Leaf Cluster attached to his first Silver Star; Bronze Star Medal; Purple Heart for wounds received in action on July 4, 1944 in the battle for Hill 95 near La Haye-du-Puits in Normandy, France; second Purple Heart posthumously awarded; British Military Cross (MC) posthumously awarded.
Lt. Polette was killed in action during the Battle of the Bulge on January 22, 1945.
Today, the 4th Brigade Combat Team of the 82nd Airborne Division at Ft. Bragg, NC has an annual competition called the Lt. Lloyd L. Polette Cup which is held to determine the brigade’s best lieutenant.
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