He was presented with the Combat Infantryman Badge while in Walter Reed. RR took over the 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, upon arrival in England. The regiment, though far from combat ready, was slated in just 67 days to make the initial landing on D-Day at Utah Beach. RR was eager and ready to take charge. RR rapidly turned the 12th Infantry into a fighting force.
Noncoms can make or break an outfit because they are truly the leaders who are with the men.
He described the landing to the NCOs and then the privates as if it were a football play. I ll be up front with you. I never had a better response. For five days he led his men in close-in fighting as the regiment broke through from Utah Beach. As he was awaiting evacuation, LTG Collins awarded him the DSC, which GEN Bradley had sent to London to get.