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name
TESTER, Perry Ottobein Jr - Date of
birth
28 October 1921 -
Age
23 - Place of
birth
Van Wert County, Ohio -
Hometown
Van Wert County, Ohio
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O1317703 -
Rank
First Lieutenant -
Function
Platoon Commander -
Unit
B Company,
1st Battalion,
413th Infantry Regiment,
104th Infantry Division
-
Awards
Distinguished Service Cross,
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
30 November 1944 - Place of
death
Inden-Lamersdorf, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Henri-Chapelle
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| F | 3 | 68 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Perry O. Tester (father)
Bertha M. (Moore) Tester (mother)
Edna L. Tester (sister)
Marian E. Tester (sister)
Bertha M. Tester (sister)
Betty (Kiggins) Tester (wife)
More information
1st Lt Perry O. Tester was a solicitor before he before he enlisted in Toledo, Ohio on 21 August 1942.He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross posthumously. The citation cited: For extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with an Infantry Company of the 413th Infantry Regiment, 104th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces from 28 to 30 November 1944, in Germany. When four enemy machine guns opened fire upon his platoon, First Lieutenant Tester, throwing hand grenades and firing his carbine, advanced far forward of his men in an assault which resulted in the complete destruction of the weapons and crews in vicious close-in fighting. While his company withdrew to reorganize for a continuation of the attack, he remained behind, and in the face of intense fire carried a wounded soldier 1,000 yards to an aid station. Leading another assault two days later, First Lieutenant Tester was severely wounded by a shell fragment. Administering medical aid to himself, First Lieutenant Tester, despite his pains, continued to lead his platoon in the attack until he was again hit by artillery fire and mortally wounded. First Lieutenant Tester's gallant leadership, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty at the cost of his life, exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 104th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.
He is remembered at the Ridge Cemetery, Van Wert County, Ohio
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Peter Schouteten, Toldeo Blade 21-dec-1944, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record, www.archives.gov - WWII Enlistment Record
Photo source: Peter Schouteten, www.ancestry.com, www.findagrave.com - Corgilover,