It is August seventh, and on this date in 1782 America’s first official military decoration of the United States was created by a general order issued by the Commander in chief of the continental army. But the creation of the award was almost lost to time, very nearly, forgotten history.
By September of 1944, the Western Allies had broken out of the Normandy beachehead, and suddenly and quickly moved across northern France . By September 7th, the 90th division was stretched across the northern sector on Patton’s Third Army’s left, advancing slowly northeast. As they did so the German defenders made a risky attack in an effort to spoil the allied advance, cutting through Allied lines in a surprise action at the small town of Mairy-Mannville.