Daniel Preston McLaurin
1944
Mechanical Engineering
Cheraw, SC
Army, Second Lieutenant
222nd Infantry Regiment, 42nd Infantry Division
Distinguished Service Cross, Purple Heart
Oct 10, 1923
Jan 11, 1945
Killed in Action in France
Old Saint Davids Episcopal Church Cemetery, Cheraw, SC
NW
Additional Information
From research by the Rainbow Division Veterans Memorial Foundation, Inc. (RDVMF) Millennium (Rainbow Family) Chapter : RECOMMENDATION for the DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS to be awarded POSTHUMOUSLY to DANIEL P. MCLAURIN, 0 557 663, 2d Lieutenant, Infantry, Company A, 222nd Infantry, for extraordinary heroism in action on 11 January 1945, near Ingolsheim, France. After completing his mission, Lieutenant McLaurin was leading his combat patrol back to our lines when an artillery concentration blocked the route and the patrol was caught in the crossfire of two machine guns and intense enemy small arms fire. After a man was killed while silencing one of the guns, Lieutenant McLaurin stood up in full view of the enemy and charged the other gun. Although mortally wounded he succeeded in throwing two grenades which silenced the gun and killed or wounded its crew. His heroic sacrifice permitted the remainder of his patrol to withdraw without further casualty. Name and address of nearest relative: Mrs. Ella A. Hutchinson (Mother), 715 Market Street, Cheraw, South Carolina. Entered military service from Cheraw, South Carolina. [Official documentation for this recommendation appearing later in this presentation has been provided by his friend, 1st Lt. Elliott Dodson, Jr., 81mm Mortar Platoon Commander, M Company, 222D Regiment.] Home Town: Chesterfield County, South CarolinaFrom the Official Narrative of the 232nd Infantry Regiment, 42nd Division, 11 Jan 45. Adjacent and supporting units no change. Additional unit of opposing enemy identified as Battle Group Van Loewan. Adjacent troops on our flanks have pulled back under pressure, leaving this unit holding the peak of a promentory precariously extending into enemy territory, with possibility of attempted encirclement. Day and night patrol activity to the front, right and left flanks was intensified, with continued close support by our artillery which also harassed the enemy by heavy fire throughout the night. Patrols accounted for one enemy vehicle, two buildings fired near Hunspach, one enemy officer and nine men killed, three injured or killed, one machine gun emplacement wiped out, and four enemy captured from whom information was obtained concerning position and strength of their unit, the 1st Bn of 937th Regiment, 245th Division, located in outskirts of Cleebourg. Small arms and automatic weapons fire from enemy were at reduced rate, but with mortar and artillery fire increased throughout the night – Cos. C and K heaviest hit. Artillery shells believed to be 105mm fell near the Regimental CP, no damage or casualties. All lines maintained. Co G, attached to 3rd Bn of 313th Inf took up defensive position SE of Leiterswiller (coord 165355). Co. E closed into Soultz Sous Forets at 1600 hours.
Distinguished Service Cross Citation: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Second Lieutenant (Infantry) Daniel Preston McLaurin (ASN: 0-552663), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy, in action against enemy forces on while serving with Company A, 1st Battalion, 222d Infantry Regiment, 42d Infantry Division, in action 11 January 1945 near Ingolsheim, France. After completing his mission, Lieutenant McLaurin was leading his combat patrol back to our lines when an artillery concentration blocked the route and the patrol was caught in the crossfire of two machine guns and intense enemy small arms fire. After a man was killed while silencing one of the guns, Lieutenant McLaurin stood up in full view of the enemy and charged the other gun. Although mortally wounded he succeeded in throwing two grenades which silenced the gun and killed or wounded its crew. His heroic sacrifice permitted the remainder of his patrol to withdraw without further casualty.
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The State 7/30/1945 p10