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Sgt Pershing F. Dennis was a carpenter before he enlisted at Fort McClellan, Alabama on 26 July 1944.

He was posthumously awarded the Silver Star Medal for his actions on 13 March 1945. The citation reads: "On 13 March, the platoon in which Sergeant Dennis served as a rifleman went to the support of troops assaulting Greimerath, Germany, but were delayed by intense concentrations of artillery, mortar, nebelwerfer, and small arms fire. Through this intense fire Private First Class Dennis and six comrades advanced over two hundred yards to reach and aid the advance elements in clearing and securing a foothold in the town. Lacking communcation with higher headquarters, Private First Class Dennis voluntarily returned through the intense fire with a message after which he returned to report his mission completed. The capture of Greimerath destroyed the German army reserve line and opened a vital evacuation, supply, and communications center for our troops. Private First Class Dennis' courage, initiative, and loyal devotion to duty contributed immeasurably to the success of the mission and was in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army."

On 23 March 1945 he was promoted to corporal and soon after to sergeant.

He was officially declared dead one day and one year after he was reported missing in action. At that time his unit was engaged in fighting in the vicinity of Marbach, Germany.