MAJOR HARRY L. GENTRY, Captain of artillery with the 8th Infantry Division was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his extraordinary heroism in action against the German Army near Lex Juies, France, on 10 July 1944. Although subjected to and wounded by constant enemy artillery, mortar, machine gun and rifle fire, Captain Gentry consistently directed such accurate artillery fire on enemy formations that several enemy counter-attacks were broken in their initial stages. In one intense enemy counter-attack, during which the infantry started to withdraw, he voluntarily assumed the role of an infantry officer and, exposing himself to enemy mortar and small arms fire, personally led an attack which silenced an enemy machine gun. Still exposing himself to intense enemy fire, he went among the men, encouraging them and urging them to hold their ground. His personal courage and gallant leadership contributed directly to the success of the operation. Captain Gentry was wounded the second time on July 26, 1944, by an artillery shell explosion to his left shoulder and both legs. After considerable hospitalization overseas, he was evacuated back to the States where he was decorated with the Distinguished Service Cross at O’Reilly General Hospital, Springfield, Missouri.

Major Gentry, a life member, resides in Oregon.