134th Infantry Regiment Website
"All Hell Can't Stop Us"
|
|
134th Infantry Regiment Website"All Hell Can't Stop Us" |
|
Ben Frank Mills, son of William Weaver and Jimmie (Cathcart) Mills, was born March 18, 1923 in Jonesboro, Arkansas. He was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant October 28, 1943 and joined Battery A, 219th Field Artillery Battalion as a Motor Transport Officer from the 9th Replacement Depot November 13, 1944 when the unit was in the vicinity of Brehain, France. His principal duty was changed to Forward Observer on November 28, 1944. He was injured in action January 1, 1945 in the vicinity of Tintange, Belgium but he remained on duty. He was awarded a Purple Heart Medal January 14 and promoted to 1st Lieutenant February 16, 1945. 1st Lt Ben F Mills was killed in action February 24, 1945 in the vicinity of Hilfarth, Germany when the battery’s position was shelled by the enemy. He is buried at Netherlands American Cemetery, Margraten, Netherlands.
|
Silver Star Medal Citation |
|
First Lieutenant Ben F Mills, O-531876 (then second lieutenant), Field Artillery, United States Army, for gallantry in action near Villers-La-Bonne-Eau, Belgium , Belgium on 4 January 1945. For three days, all attempts of our infantry to secure a heavily fortified road junction defended by six enemy tanks, six machine guns and infantry elements were repulsed with severe losses. On 4 January, Lieutenant Mills requested the withdrawal of friendly troops from the danger zone, crawled to within twenty-five yards of the hostile positions, and began the precision adjustment of a 155mm howitzer against the tanks, with only the profile of the ground as protection against intense enemy and friendly fire. After one tank had been destroyed and the remainder had withdrawn, the enemy launched a counterattack but was trapped by the accurate artillery fire with which Lieutenant Mills enveloped the unit, suffering heavy casualties. Our troops then gained their objective, capturing fifteen prisoners. Lieutenant Mills' intrepidity, skill and unselfish devotion to duty reflect high credit upon the military service. Entered military service from Arkansas. General Orders No. 13, Headquarters 35th Infantry Division, 20 February 1945 |
