Robert Jackson Meredith was born on May 3, 1918 to his parents David and Christina. His mother died at an early age in 1920 and his father died in 1934. Robert enlisted in Roanoke, Virginia on October 23, 1943, and was married at that time to his wife, Beulah Mae.
PFC Robert Meredith was awarded this officially engraved Silver Star for action with the 3rd Division on September 7, 1944 only 22 days after "D Day" in southern France at the Riviera. This was 50 KM south of Vesoul, France where 1st Lt. John Tominac, Lincoln, Nebr., Co. I, 15th Regiment was awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic single handed attack. PFC Meredith's Silver Star was officially awarded to him on October 22, 1946.
PFC Meredith's record further shows that he was wounded May 31, 1944 near Artena, Italy, and was again wounded durig his Silver Star action on September 7, 1944 near Besancon, France.
The original transmittal letter addressed to Robert in Pulaski, Virginia accompanies this group and the citation reads as follows:
"For gallantry in action. On 7 September, 1944, upon sighting about 15 Germans approaching his platoon's position on a hill near Besancon, France, Private Meredith left the cover of his foxhole during an enemy shell concentration and alerted his comrades. Although he was wounded in the knee by a shell fragment, he persuaded one man to follow him to a low wall overlooking the enemy's route. As the Germans attempted to set a machine gun 30 yards away, Private Meredith and his companion opened fire, killing the two-man crew and two riflemen. When his comrade was wounded by return fire, Private Meredith continued shooting until five Germans had been killed, four wounded, and five others surrendered to him"
September 7 is the same day and possibly the same action in which T5 Robert Maxwell was awarded the MOH. Maxwell was in HQ Co. of the 3rd Battlion 7th Infantry. Audie Murphy in the 15th Infantry was to get his MOH just a few months later on 26 January 1945. The description of these awards is given on page 384 and 385 of the Third Division Unit History.
In addition, the group includes the Silver Star presentation case and his un-named Good Conduct Medal and Purple HeartThe edge number on the SS is 105322, and the Purple Heart is 308899. Also included is an original copy of the Third Division history. His picture taken from the internet is attached.The group also includes his file from the National Archives and some information from Ancestry, com
Meredith is listed as a PFC in the 7th Inf. Reg. Roster on page 465 of the WW2 Third Division Unit History. His service log shows he was in Italy May 3, 1944 through August 10, 1044; in France August 15, 1944 through March 16, 1945; in Austria May 6, 1945 through July 9; and in Germany July 9, 1945 through November 7. He was discharged stateside on December 9. 1945.
