Post by 2nd92nd FA Administrator on Jul 12, 2005 13:47:44 GMT -8
The Rivers Barracks got its name by this fine hero:
RIVERS BARRACKS July 29, 1950
WWII During the war the installation, built originally for German Signal units, was known as Verdun Kaserne.
The post was renamed Rivers Barracks in honor of Staff Sergeant Rubin Rivers of Company A, 761st Tank Bn.
RUBEN RIVERS entered the Army Jan. 15, 1942, and was a staff sergeant in Company A, 761st Tank Battalion (Colored) Nov. 16, 1944, near Guebling, France.
During an advance on the town that day, Rivers' tank hit a mine, and the sergeant was wounded in the leg. Refusing evacuation, Rivers directed his tank's fire on enemy positions for three days.
On the fourth day, Nov. 19, Rivers joined Company A's advance toward the town, but the unit was again stopped by enemy fire. Rivers' tank, joined by another, covered the company's withdrawal. During the battle, Rivers' tank was hit. He was killed and his crewmen were wounded.
Summary of Service: Entered, 15 January 1942; Killed in Action, 19 November 1944; buried in the American Battle Monument Cemetery - France.
Awards and Decoration: Medal of Honor (as of 23 September 1996); Silver Star; Purple Heart (Posthumously); Army Good Conduct Medal (Posthumously); European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal; World War II Victory Medal (Posthumously); Presidential Unit Citation.
Medal of Honor Citation: For extraordinary heroism on November 16 - 19, 1944. Staff Sergeant Rivers tank was hit by a mine while advancing toward Guebling, France. Severely wounded in the leg he refused treatment and evacuation, took command of another tank, and advanced with his company. Repeatedly refusing evacuation, Sgt. Rivers continued to direct his tank's fire at enemy positions for three days. On the morning of the 1 9th November Sgt. Rivers opened fire on the enemy tanks, covering Company A as they withdrew. While doing so, Sgt. River's tank was hit killing him and wounding the crew.
RIVERS BARRACKS July 29, 1950
WWII During the war the installation, built originally for German Signal units, was known as Verdun Kaserne.
The post was renamed Rivers Barracks in honor of Staff Sergeant Rubin Rivers of Company A, 761st Tank Bn.
RUBEN RIVERS entered the Army Jan. 15, 1942, and was a staff sergeant in Company A, 761st Tank Battalion (Colored) Nov. 16, 1944, near Guebling, France.
During an advance on the town that day, Rivers' tank hit a mine, and the sergeant was wounded in the leg. Refusing evacuation, Rivers directed his tank's fire on enemy positions for three days.
On the fourth day, Nov. 19, Rivers joined Company A's advance toward the town, but the unit was again stopped by enemy fire. Rivers' tank, joined by another, covered the company's withdrawal. During the battle, Rivers' tank was hit. He was killed and his crewmen were wounded.
Summary of Service: Entered, 15 January 1942; Killed in Action, 19 November 1944; buried in the American Battle Monument Cemetery - France.
Awards and Decoration: Medal of Honor (as of 23 September 1996); Silver Star; Purple Heart (Posthumously); Army Good Conduct Medal (Posthumously); European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal; World War II Victory Medal (Posthumously); Presidential Unit Citation.
Medal of Honor Citation: For extraordinary heroism on November 16 - 19, 1944. Staff Sergeant Rivers tank was hit by a mine while advancing toward Guebling, France. Severely wounded in the leg he refused treatment and evacuation, took command of another tank, and advanced with his company. Repeatedly refusing evacuation, Sgt. Rivers continued to direct his tank's fire at enemy positions for three days. On the morning of the 1 9th November Sgt. Rivers opened fire on the enemy tanks, covering Company A as they withdrew. While doing so, Sgt. River's tank was hit killing him and wounding the crew.