134th Infantry Regiment Website
35th Infantry Division Research Center
"All Hell Can't Stop Us"
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134th Infantry Regiment Website35th Infantry Division Research Center"All Hell Can't Stop Us" |
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William Thomas Janus, son of Michael and Josephine (Gruber) Janus, was born March 3, 1913 in St Louis, Missouri. He married Daphane Elizabeth Jones on November 29, 1941 and the couple had a son, William. He registered for the draft October 16, 1940. At the time he was working for the Civilian Conservation Corps. He was inducted into the Army January 19, 1942 and served in Headquarters Company 2nd Battalion, 137th Infantry Regiment. He was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge August 1, 1944. Sgt William T Janus was initially reported missing and was later confirmed killed in action August 3, 1944 in the vicinity of La Fortière, south of St Lo, France. He is buried at Freeman Cemetery, Cherryville, Missouri.
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Bronze Star Medal Citation |
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Sergeant William T Janus, 37134730, Infantry, United States Army, for heroic service in connection with military operations against an enemy of the United States, near * * * , France, on 2 August 1944. Sergeant Janus, a wire chief, was assigned the mission of establishing wire communications to the battalion observation post to enable artillery fire to be directed against the enemy. Sergeant Janus and his crew reached the observation post in the face of heavy enemy fire, but the wire head was destroyed by an enemy shell. Sergeant Janus returned to the rear, brought up a second wire and established communications which greatly facilitated the battalion's advance to its objective. During the operation, Sergeant Janus was fatally wounded by shell fragments. His devotion to duty and disregard for personal safety reflect credit upon his character as a soldier. General Orders No. 32, Headquarters 35th Infantry Division, 14 September 1944 |
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134th Infantry Regiment & 35th Infantry Division Research Center Home Page |
