April 5, 1944 — Phil awarded his first medal of valor, the Silver Star
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April 6, 2024On April 5, at a battalion ceremony in the Pine Grove, Phil was surprised to be awarded his first battle medal, the Silver Star—the third-highest military combat decoration awarded for bravery in action beyond the call of duty — only following the Medal of Honor and the Distinguished Service Cross.
The Silver Star was presented to him by Brigadier General John Wilson “Iron Mike” O’Daniel, the 3rd Division commander, with the 30th Regiment Commander, Colonel Lionel C. McGarr, standing by his side.
“How old are you, Lieutenant?” O’Daniel asked while pinning Phil’s medal on him.
“Nineteen years and ninety-one days, sir!” Phil responded.
O’Daniel chuckled as he looked at McGarr. “I’m not sure I can remember being that young.”
“He’s young, but he’s one hell of a fighting man,” McGarr commented, smiling, as he shook Phil’s hand and then saluted him.[1]
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General O’Daniel was nicknamed “Iron Mike” during World War I after being hit in the face by a German machine gun bullet and becoming severely wounded, yet he kept on fighting. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, the nation’s second-highest award for valor, as well as a Purple Heart. [2]
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Picture taken at Anzio:
Dad’s first medal of valor, the Silver Star, on Anzio
Award Citation:[3]
- Name: Larimore Philip B
- Serial Number: 0-511 609
- Grade: 2nd Lt.
- Organization: Hq. Co, 3d Bn, 30th Inf
- Type of Award: Silver Star
- Station or AFO: 3, G.O. No.: 58, Section: I
- Date: 5 Apr 44
- By Command of: Brig. Gen. O’Daniel
- Residence at appointment: Memphis, Tenn.
For gallantry in action. Lieutenant Larimore, 3rd Battalion ammunition and pioneer platoon leader, guided a two man, mine-laying detail to a culvert northwest of ***,[4] Italy, the morning of 16 March, 1944. As he moved through two of his battalion company areas he was warned that two houses within a few yards of the bridge on which he planned to lay the hasty mine field were enemy held and that the ditch behind the bridge was under heavy direct artillery fire. Disregarding all warnings he led his men to the bridge, ignored the artillery fire, shells continually bursting with in 50 feet to 50 yards of him, and for five minutes in clear view of the enemy located in a house 150 yards away, worked alone laying the field. His actions, placing his men in a covered position, while he alone braved direct artillery and automatic weapons fire to accomplish his mission, reflect great credit on himself and the military service.
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[1] Larimore. At First Light. Page
[2] Atkinson, Rick. The Pulitzer Prize-winning author of the “Liberation Trilogy,” about the southern and “forgotten” front of the European Theater of Operations.
[3] Record of Award of Decoration by Agency other than War Department.
[4] Likely Carano, Italy (site of Garibaldi’s Tomb) based upon a map in: Prohme, 150-151.
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