Bruce O’Dell Tester was born on 25 May 1922, the son of George Washington Tester Sr. and Rhoda Emaline Phillippi.
He Died 29 July 1944
Sgt Tester was killed in action at St. Lo in France and is buried at Edgefield UM Church Cemetery, Piney Flats, Sullivan County, Tennessee.
Kingsport News, 23 November 1944
Silver Star for Piney Flats Man given in France
With U.S. Forces in France – The Silver Star has been awarded posthumously to Sergeant Bruce O. Tester, of Route 2, Piney Flats, Tennessee, for gallantry in combat in France, with an Armored Infantry Regiment of the Second Armored Division.
On July 29, Sergeant Tester was car commander of a half-track on a misson of reconnaissance for an important armored task force. Near St. Nenis le Gast the vehicle came under heavy rifle and machine gun fire from the town and the surrounding fields. Sergeant Tester ordered his vehicle to continue to move forward and he personally manned a 50 caliber machine gun located in the center of the town. He remained in an exposed position firing his weapon until he was killed. His aggressiveness in remaining at the forward position gave his unit an opportunity to bring up heavier weapons and dispose of the opposition.
- Rank: Sergeant
- Date of birth: 25 May 1922
- Date of death: 29 July 1944
- County: Sullivan
- Service Branch: Army/Army Air Forces
- Division/Assignment: 2nd Armored Division
- Theater: Europe
- Conflict: World War II
- Awards: Purple Heart, Silver Star
- Burial/Memorial Location: Edgefield UM Church Cemetery, Piney Flats, Sullivan County, TN
- Location In Memorial: Pillar XVIII, Top Panel
- Contact us to sponsor Bruce O. Tester
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