RESIDENCE (DURING WWII):
Kulm, North Dakota
FULL NAME:
Otto Harr
ARMY SERIAL NUMBER (ASN):
37575715
- DATE OF BIRTH: June 11, 1919
- DATE OF DEATH: June 22, 1995
DATE / PLACE OF ENLISTMENT:
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DATE OF ENLISTMENT:Aug 20, 1943
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PLACE OF ENLISTMENT:Fort Snelling, Minnesota
ORGANIZATION:
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MAIN UNIT:23rd Infantry Regiment
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SUBUNIT:Company L, 3rd Battalion
RANK / POSITION IN UNIT (LAST KNOWN):
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RANK:Staff Sergeant (S/Sgt.)
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POSITION IN UNIT:Squad Leader
BATTLES AND CAMPAIGNS:
✭ Normandy Campaign (6 June – 24 July 1944), ✭ Northern France Campaign (25 July – 14 September 1944), ✭ Ardennes-Alsace Campaign (16 December 1944 – 25 January 1945), ✭ Rhineland Campaign (15 September 1944 – 21 March 1945), ✭ Central Europe Campaign (22 March – 11 May 1945)
DECORATIONS AND CITATIONS (AWARDS):
🎖Silver Star Medal, 🎖Good Conduct Medal, 🎖European–African–Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, 🎖Distinguished Unit Citation, 🎖Combat Infantry Badge, 🎖Bronze Star Medal With One Oak Leaf Cluster
SUMMARY OF HIS SERVICE:
S/Sgt. Otto Harr's Silver Star citation:
"On 17 December 1944 one platoon of Company "L", 23rd Infantry, was defending a road block in front of the 3rd Battalion's position in the Krinkelter Wald, Belgium. Sergeant Otto Harr, light machine gun squad leader, held a vital crossroads in the platoon area which lay along the route of communication. At 0100 hours, 17 December 1944, a strong enemy patrol of approximately 50 men attempted to overrun the crossroads. Three hostile machine guns set up in position and when they opened fire German infantry began to surround the area. Sergeant Harr, with complete disregard for personal safety and despite several grenades which exploded only a few yards from his position, sent devastating fire among the enemy troops disrupting three separate attacks which the numerically superior enemy launched. Despite enemy machine gun fire continuously sweeping the entire area, Sergeant Harr continued to hold the position until ordered to withdraw with the remainder of his platoon several hours later. This courageous action accounted for numerous enemy casualties and denied the Germans the use of this important area. The gallantry, courage and unswerving devotion to duty displayed by this enlisted man exemplify the highest traditions of the armed forces of the United States."
Otto Harr was a 30+ year member of the Operative Plasterers' and Cement Finishers' Int'l Assoc of the United States and Canada; avid hunter, fisher, baseball fan, loving grandfather"
