Walter Bedingfield

ASN:O-438947

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HEADQUARTERS 82ND AIRBORNE DIVISION

Office of The Division Commander

                                                                                                APO 469, U.S. Army

                                                                                                July 14, 1944

SUBJECT:          Award of the Silver Star Medal

TO:                   Captain Walter H. Bedingfield, Medical Corps, 319th Glider Field Artillery Battalion.

                        Under the provisions of AR 600-45, as amended, and pursuant to authority contained in Circular No. 32, Headquarters ETOUSA, dated March 20, 1944, and Circular No. 66, Headquarters First United States Army, dated May 18, 1944, the Silver Star Medal is awarded to the following individual:

CITATION:

                        “WALTER H. BEDINGFIELD, O-438947, Captain, Medical Corps, 319th Glider Field Artillery Battalion, for gallantry in action on June 7, 1944, about two-mile northeast of STE MERE EGLISE. Captain BEDINGFIELD, Battalion Surgeon, immediately after landing in the early morning of June 7, 1944, established a Frist Aid Station in an abandoned house in advance of friendly infantry, under heavy enemy artillery and small arms fire. Over a period of fifty-six hours, this FIRST AID STATION received several score of patients from all combat units in the area. Captain BEDINGFIELD, without aid, and with a minimum of medical supplies, not only administered first aid, but arranged for the evacuation of all his patients. In so doing, he many times exposed himself to accurate sniper fire. At one time Captain BEDINGFIELD voluntarily went approximately one mile in advance of friendly infantry to rescue a number of wounded who were still under withering enemy fire. Many of the more seriously wounded would not have survived without Captain BEDINGFIELD’s devotion to duty and utter disregard for his personal safety. Captain BEDINGFIELD exhibited, at all times the coolness and courage exemplifying the best traditions of the service. Entered Military Service from RENTZ, GEORGIA.”

M.B. Ridgway

Major General, U.S. Army

                                                                                                Commanding

Medical Detachment, 82nd ABN Division Artillery

APO 469

June 12, 1945

History of unit dating from December 17, 1944, to June 12, 1945.

December 17, 1944, unit alerted for movement. Equipment packed and readied. Some shortages in equipment as resupply following Holland mission not completed. No critical items missing.

 December 18, 1944, Division Artillery accompanied by all medical units attached departed from Suippes, France, enroute to Werbermont, Belgium. Enroute organization treated several casualties. Due to nature of existing conditions patients transported along with organizations. Arrived at Werbermont, Belgium, at 0330, December 19, 1944. Installations set up and all casualties evacuated to 307th Clr. Sta. Casualties light. December 21, 1944, closed stations at Werbermont, Belgium, and proceeded to the immediate area of Bra, Belgium. Treated several casualties from 106th Inf Div. and infantry units of our division. Casualties light. Evening of December 24, stations closed at Bra, Belgium and moved to Ville, Belgium. No casualties reported. December 25, 1944, stations closed at Ville, Belgium, and moved to Chevron, Belgium. Installations in operation at this point for twelve days.  Routine cases treated. No serious casualties reported. January 6, 1945, Stations closed at Chevron, Belgium, and moved to Basse Bodeux, Belgium. Several cases of trench foot reported while in this area. Stations closed January 10, 1945, and moved to La Chapelle, Belgium. Several infantry casualties treated here. January 12, 1945, 82nd Abn Div Arty relieved by 75th Div Arty. Stations closed and moved to Quarreau, Belgium, Rest Area. No serious cases reported while in this area. All patients evacuated to 307th clr. Sta. Normal sick call was held during this period. While in this area equipment checked and restocked. January 27, 1945, all installations closed as 82nd Abn Div Arty proceeded to immediate area of Bohrne, Belgium. At this point the first cases of common diarrhea appeared. A notable amount of refuse left by the enemy was seen in the immediate area. Body lice were discovered while in this area. Disinfecting powder issued and all troops instructed as to its use. Buildings occupied by troops thoroughly dusted with DDT powder. A number of displaced persons were found here and this presented a major problem for several days. February 1, 1945, installations closed at Bohrne, Belgium, and moved to Wereth, Belgium. Several cases of trench foot reported here. Due to thaw and icy conditions of roads evacuation of casualties presented a problem. Installations closed at Wereth, Belgium, and moved to Holzheim, Belgium, February 3, 1945. It was in this area that a considerable amount of refuse left by retreating enemy was to be seen. Entrails of cows, bodies of dead horses, human excreta all combined to make the area an excellent culture for disease. There were a number of cases of common diarrhea seen in this area. Sulphaguanidine was the drug administered and proved to be a satisfactory treatment. Casualties light. February 6, 1945, stations closed at Holzheim, Belgium, and moved to Lierneau, Belgium. No casualties reported. No casualties reported while in this area. Stations closed at Lierneau, Belgium, February 8, 1945, as 82nd Abn Div Arty moves to Rott, Germany. All casualties evacuated to 307th Clr. Sta. located in Roetgen, Germany. February 14, 1945, installations closed in Rott, Germany, and moved to Hurtgen, Germany. Area was heavily mined, but organizations suffered no casualties from such action. Casualties light. February 18, 1945, stations closed at Hurtgen, Germany and moved to Rott, Germany. No casualties reported.

During the period of December 18, 1944, to February 21, 1945, the general health of command was good. 10 in 1 rations were the basic diet supplemented occasionally with B rations. All water was drawn from authorized division water points. During this period the troops operated under the most adverse weather conditions. Freezing temperature and snow was encountered the entire period. Several cases of trench foot were treated during this period. Most of these cases were evacuated. The army snow boot and heavy socks helped to remedy this condition. Daily massage of feet proved to be a must for all troops. No new technical or administrative measures were instituted at this time. All patients were evacuated to the 307th Clearing Station. February 21, 1945, Stations closed at Rott, Germany, as 82nd Abn Div Arty proceeded to Camp Suippes, France, by motor convoy and train. Medical personnel accompanied both movements. Dispensary opened at Camp Suippes, France, February 23, 1945. Dispensary in operation from February 23, 1945, to April 2, 1945. Normal garrison duties performed while in this location.

April 2, 1945, closed Dispensary at Camp Suippes, France, as 82nd Abn Div Arty proceeded to Wieden, Germany. Installations closed at Wieden, Germany, April 29, 1945. Stations in operation April 30, at Bleckede, Germany. Casualties light. May 2, 1945, stations closed at Bleckede, Germany, and opened at Neuhaus, Germany. No casualties reported. Stations closed at Neuhaus, Germany, May 3, 1945, and opened at Ludwigslust, Germany. No casualties reported. Installations closed at Ludwigslust, Germany, May 5, 9145, and opened at Loosen, Germany. While in this area several thousand displaced persons located in two camps were under the medical supervision of several medical sections of 82nd Abn Div Arty. Installations closed at Loosen, Germany, June 4, 1945, as 82nd Abd Div Arty proceeded to Laon, France. June 7, 1945, stations in operation at Camp Chicago, France.