Before the war, he was a student at Texas A&M College and graduated as a member of the Class of 1939 with a degree in Agriculture.
First Battalion Staff, 1st LT Mills Adjutant
Unit: 33rd Armored Regiment, 3rd Armored Division
Rank. Lieutenant Colonel U.S. Army
Buried: PLOT A - Row 6 - Grave 38 Henri-Chapelle, Arrondissement de Verviers, Lige, Belgium
Herbert M. Mills
HOME OF RECORD:
El Paso, Texas
AWARDS BY DATE OF ACTION:1 of 2
AWARDED FOR ACTIONS
DURING World War II
Service: Army
Division: 3d Armored Division
GENERAL ORDERS:
Headquarters, First U.S. Army, General Orders No. 17 (1945)
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Lieutenant Colonel (Armor) Herbert M. Mills (ASN: 0-380638), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action against the enemy while serving with the 33d Armored Regiment, 3d Armored Division, in action against the enemy from 16 to 18 November 1944. By a combination of bravery, conspicuous leadership, and exceptional tactical ability, Lieutenant Colonel Mills brilliantly led his task force over difficult terrain, across dense minefields, and through devastating enemy fire to secure a vital objective. On the initial day of the assault, one of his tanks was hit blocking the advance of the column through a lane cleared of mines. Lieutenant Colonel Mills dismounted from his tank, personally directed engineers in clearing another lane, and led his force through the minefield. While courageously reorganizing his position, a shell struck within a few feet of him, causing a severe strain on his right leg. Though in much pain, he refused medical aid and continued his reconnaissance on foot to improve his positions. Although he lost all officers of his medium tank companies and thirty-three tanks, Lieutenant Colonel Mills kept his force effectively organized and, in the face of fanatical enemy opposition, captured his objective without infantry support. While Lieutenant Colonel Mills was in the process of communicating with higher headquarters to report that his mission was accomplished, a shell struck the building above his tank, fatally wounding him. By his extraordinary leadership, inspiring valor, and selfless devotion to duty, Lieutenant Colonel Mills exemplified the highest traditions of the Armed Forces.
Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star, Bronze Star
First Battalion Staff, 1st LT Mills Adjutant
Unit: 33rd Armored Regiment, 3rd Armored Division
Rank. Lieutenant Colonel U.S. Army
Buried: PLOT A - Row 6 - Grave 38 Henri-Chapelle, Arrondissement de Verviers, Lige, Belgium
Herbert M. Mills
HOME OF RECORD:
El Paso, Texas
AWARDS BY DATE OF ACTION:1 of 2
AWARDED FOR ACTIONS
DURING World War II
Service: Army
Division: 3d Armored Division
GENERAL ORDERS:
Headquarters, First U.S. Army, General Orders No. 17 (1945)
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Lieutenant Colonel (Armor) Herbert M. Mills (ASN: 0-380638), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action against the enemy while serving with the 33d Armored Regiment, 3d Armored Division, in action against the enemy from 16 to 18 November 1944. By a combination of bravery, conspicuous leadership, and exceptional tactical ability, Lieutenant Colonel Mills brilliantly led his task force over difficult terrain, across dense minefields, and through devastating enemy fire to secure a vital objective. On the initial day of the assault, one of his tanks was hit blocking the advance of the column through a lane cleared of mines. Lieutenant Colonel Mills dismounted from his tank, personally directed engineers in clearing another lane, and led his force through the minefield. While courageously reorganizing his position, a shell struck within a few feet of him, causing a severe strain on his right leg. Though in much pain, he refused medical aid and continued his reconnaissance on foot to improve his positions. Although he lost all officers of his medium tank companies and thirty-three tanks, Lieutenant Colonel Mills kept his force effectively organized and, in the face of fanatical enemy opposition, captured his objective without infantry support. While Lieutenant Colonel Mills was in the process of communicating with higher headquarters to report that his mission was accomplished, a shell struck the building above his tank, fatally wounding him. By his extraordinary leadership, inspiring valor, and selfless devotion to duty, Lieutenant Colonel Mills exemplified the highest traditions of the Armed Forces.
Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star, Bronze Star