CW4
U.S. ARMY
WORLD WAR II
KOREA
VIETNAM
PUBLISHED: Sunday, July 6, 2003
McCurtain Sunday Gazette News Idabel, Oklahoma
Graveside services for Robert Ondell Alexander, 71, will be at 10 a.m. Monday in Fort Bliss National Cemetery with honors. Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. today at Martin Funeral Home, 1460 George Dieter Drive, El Paso, Texas.
Alexander died Tuesday at Austin, Texas. He was born July 27, 1921 at Phil Campbell, Ala., to Holly U. Alexander and Jewel Thomas Alexander. Alexander was a highly decorated veteran of the U.S. Army, earning the Distinguished Service Cross, the Bronze Star with three clusters and the Purple Heart with two clusters. He was one of six foreign recipients of the Italian Medal of Valor during World War II. Serving in the G Company, 180th Regiment, 46th Infantry Division, he participated in the campaigns in Africa and Italy. After 23 years of military service, he retired as CWO-4. Following his military career, Alexander served as Librarian at Bel Air Junior High School in El Paso, Texas and became a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 51 years, Geneva S. Alexander. Survivors include a daughter, Janeene Kiely, Palestine, Texas; four grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren; three brothers, Jurna Alexander, Jay H. Alexander and Ulwerd Alexander and one sister, Wanda Crockett. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Alzheimer's Research Foundation.
Sources:
Obituary was provided by Find A Grave member, Brandon O'Rear
U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs website
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Contributor: BarryC (47806468) provided this on 22 Oct 2020:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Sergeant Robert O. Alexander, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company G, 180th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 12 October 1943, near Telese, Italy. Sergeant Alexander went forward alone on reconnaissance for light machine gun positions, when by chance he ran across a German machine gunner setting up his weapon. Rushing the position he captured both the man and the gun and brought them back to the rear, before calmly going forward a second time and accomplishing his original mission. Shortly after his light guns were placed in the chosen positions, the fighting began, the Germans preceding their ground attack by terrific artillery and mortar preparation. It was during this opening burst of fire that two mortar fragments dropped Sergeant Alexander to the ground with fragments tearing his left leg. Although bleeding profusely, he staggered back to his feet, checked each weapon in his section, issued firing orders, and then propped himself up so he could meet the onrushing enemy with his own Tommy Gun. Wounded a third time, he was no longer able to hold his weapon. He crawled behind a rock and lay there, continuing to encourage his men in the battle, directing the fire of his section, until no more Germans rushed forward and the nose of enemy gunning had ceased. Only then did he make his way back to help, without assistance. Sergeant Alexander's intrepid actions, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 45th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.
U.S. ARMY
WORLD WAR II
KOREA
VIETNAM
PUBLISHED: Sunday, July 6, 2003
McCurtain Sunday Gazette News Idabel, Oklahoma
Graveside services for Robert Ondell Alexander, 71, will be at 10 a.m. Monday in Fort Bliss National Cemetery with honors. Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. today at Martin Funeral Home, 1460 George Dieter Drive, El Paso, Texas.
Alexander died Tuesday at Austin, Texas. He was born July 27, 1921 at Phil Campbell, Ala., to Holly U. Alexander and Jewel Thomas Alexander. Alexander was a highly decorated veteran of the U.S. Army, earning the Distinguished Service Cross, the Bronze Star with three clusters and the Purple Heart with two clusters. He was one of six foreign recipients of the Italian Medal of Valor during World War II. Serving in the G Company, 180th Regiment, 46th Infantry Division, he participated in the campaigns in Africa and Italy. After 23 years of military service, he retired as CWO-4. Following his military career, Alexander served as Librarian at Bel Air Junior High School in El Paso, Texas and became a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 51 years, Geneva S. Alexander. Survivors include a daughter, Janeene Kiely, Palestine, Texas; four grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren; three brothers, Jurna Alexander, Jay H. Alexander and Ulwerd Alexander and one sister, Wanda Crockett. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Alzheimer's Research Foundation.
Sources:
Obituary was provided by Find A Grave member, Brandon O'Rear
U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs website
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Contributor: BarryC (47806468) provided this on 22 Oct 2020:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Sergeant Robert O. Alexander, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company G, 180th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 12 October 1943, near Telese, Italy. Sergeant Alexander went forward alone on reconnaissance for light machine gun positions, when by chance he ran across a German machine gunner setting up his weapon. Rushing the position he captured both the man and the gun and brought them back to the rear, before calmly going forward a second time and accomplishing his original mission. Shortly after his light guns were placed in the chosen positions, the fighting began, the Germans preceding their ground attack by terrific artillery and mortar preparation. It was during this opening burst of fire that two mortar fragments dropped Sergeant Alexander to the ground with fragments tearing his left leg. Although bleeding profusely, he staggered back to his feet, checked each weapon in his section, issued firing orders, and then propped himself up so he could meet the onrushing enemy with his own Tommy Gun. Wounded a third time, he was no longer able to hold his weapon. He crawled behind a rock and lay there, continuing to encourage his men in the battle, directing the fire of his section, until no more Germans rushed forward and the nose of enemy gunning had ceased. Only then did he make his way back to help, without assistance. Sergeant Alexander's intrepid actions, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 45th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.
CW4
U.S. ARMY
WORLD WAR II
KOREA
VIETNAM
PUBLISHED: Sunday, July 6, 2003
McCurtain Sunday Gazette News Idabel, Oklahoma
Graveside services for Robert Ondell Alexander, 71, will be at 10 a.m. Monday in Fort Bliss National Cemetery with honors. Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. today at Martin Funeral Home, 1460 George Dieter Drive, El Paso, Texas.
Alexander died Tuesday at Austin, Texas. He was born July 27, 1921 at Phil Campbell, Ala., to Holly U. Alexander and Jewel Thomas Alexander. Alexander was a highly decorated veteran of the U.S. Army, earning the Distinguished Service Cross, the Bronze Star with three clusters and the Purple Heart with two clusters. He was one of six foreign recipients of the Italian Medal of Valor during World War II. Serving in the G Company, 180th Regiment, 46th Infantry Division, he participated in the campaigns in Africa and Italy. After 23 years of military service, he retired as CWO-4. Following his military career, Alexander served as Librarian at Bel Air Junior High School in El Paso, Texas and became a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 51 years, Geneva S. Alexander. Survivors include a daughter, Janeene Kiely, Palestine, Texas; four grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren; three brothers, Jurna Alexander, Jay H. Alexander and Ulwerd Alexander and one sister, Wanda Crockett. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Alzheimer's Research Foundation.
Sources:
Obituary was provided by Find A Grave member, Brandon O'Rear
U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs website
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Contributor: BarryC (47806468) provided this on 22 Oct 2020:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Sergeant Robert O. Alexander, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company G, 180th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 12 October 1943, near Telese, Italy. Sergeant Alexander went forward alone on reconnaissance for light machine gun positions, when by chance he ran across a German machine gunner setting up his weapon. Rushing the position he captured both the man and the gun and brought them back to the rear, before calmly going forward a second time and accomplishing his original mission. Shortly after his light guns were placed in the chosen positions, the fighting began, the Germans preceding their ground attack by terrific artillery and mortar preparation. It was during this opening burst of fire that two mortar fragments dropped Sergeant Alexander to the ground with fragments tearing his left leg. Although bleeding profusely, he staggered back to his feet, checked each weapon in his section, issued firing orders, and then propped himself up so he could meet the onrushing enemy with his own Tommy Gun. Wounded a third time, he was no longer able to hold his weapon. He crawled behind a rock and lay there, continuing to encourage his men in the battle, directing the fire of his section, until no more Germans rushed forward and the nose of enemy gunning had ceased. Only then did he make his way back to help, without assistance. Sergeant Alexander's intrepid actions, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 45th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.
U.S. ARMY
WORLD WAR II
KOREA
VIETNAM
PUBLISHED: Sunday, July 6, 2003
McCurtain Sunday Gazette News Idabel, Oklahoma
Graveside services for Robert Ondell Alexander, 71, will be at 10 a.m. Monday in Fort Bliss National Cemetery with honors. Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. today at Martin Funeral Home, 1460 George Dieter Drive, El Paso, Texas.
Alexander died Tuesday at Austin, Texas. He was born July 27, 1921 at Phil Campbell, Ala., to Holly U. Alexander and Jewel Thomas Alexander. Alexander was a highly decorated veteran of the U.S. Army, earning the Distinguished Service Cross, the Bronze Star with three clusters and the Purple Heart with two clusters. He was one of six foreign recipients of the Italian Medal of Valor during World War II. Serving in the G Company, 180th Regiment, 46th Infantry Division, he participated in the campaigns in Africa and Italy. After 23 years of military service, he retired as CWO-4. Following his military career, Alexander served as Librarian at Bel Air Junior High School in El Paso, Texas and became a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 51 years, Geneva S. Alexander. Survivors include a daughter, Janeene Kiely, Palestine, Texas; four grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren; three brothers, Jurna Alexander, Jay H. Alexander and Ulwerd Alexander and one sister, Wanda Crockett. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Alzheimer's Research Foundation.
Sources:
Obituary was provided by Find A Grave member, Brandon O'Rear
U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs website
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Contributor: BarryC (47806468) provided this on 22 Oct 2020:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Sergeant Robert O. Alexander, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company G, 180th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 12 October 1943, near Telese, Italy. Sergeant Alexander went forward alone on reconnaissance for light machine gun positions, when by chance he ran across a German machine gunner setting up his weapon. Rushing the position he captured both the man and the gun and brought them back to the rear, before calmly going forward a second time and accomplishing his original mission. Shortly after his light guns were placed in the chosen positions, the fighting began, the Germans preceding their ground attack by terrific artillery and mortar preparation. It was during this opening burst of fire that two mortar fragments dropped Sergeant Alexander to the ground with fragments tearing his left leg. Although bleeding profusely, he staggered back to his feet, checked each weapon in his section, issued firing orders, and then propped himself up so he could meet the onrushing enemy with his own Tommy Gun. Wounded a third time, he was no longer able to hold his weapon. He crawled behind a rock and lay there, continuing to encourage his men in the battle, directing the fire of his section, until no more Germans rushed forward and the nose of enemy gunning had ceased. Only then did he make his way back to help, without assistance. Sergeant Alexander's intrepid actions, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 45th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.
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