Memorial

More information

1st Lt Starr S. Sutherland Jr. attended college for two years before he joined the U.S. Army Reserve in Seattle, Washington on 9 September 1942.

In a personal letter to the parents of Sutherland, General Patton told them Lt Sutherland was commanding a platoon when he was killed instantly during vicious fighting in the village of Harlange, Luxembourg.

He was awarded the Silver Star Medal for his actions on 18 November 1944. The citation cited: Lt Sutherland led a patrol of Company E men into the woods near ****, where he found scattered members of a Company G patrol. Forming the latter men as part of his patrol, Lt Sutherland proceeded over open ground, discovered and destroyed an enemy machine gun and its crew. Later, while alone, and en route to his operations post, he encountered and killed an enemy soldier, and upon arriving at his operations post, discovered an enemy tank firing on Company G. Lt Sutherland then adjusted fire that neutralized the enemy vehicle. That same night, Lt Sutherland and an enlisted man reconnoitered in preparation for an attack the following morning. The information obtained by Lt Sutherland materially contributed to the success of the ensuing attack. Lt Sutherland's aggressive leadership, tactical knowledge, personal bravery and devotion to duty, spell much gallantry in action as to be in accord with the military traditions of the United States.