"For extraordinary heroism and courage above and beyond the call of duty
while serving with the Third Marine Raider Battalion during action
against the enemy Japanese Forces in the Solomon Islands area on
November 9, 1943. While his platoon was engaged in the defense of a vital road block near Empress Augusta Bay on Bougainville Island,
Private First Class Gurke, in company with another Marine, was
delivering a fierce stream of fire against the main vanguard of the
Japanese. Concluding from the increasing ferocity of grenade barrages
that the enemy was determined to annihilate their shallow, two–man foxhole,
he resorted to a bold and desperate measure for holding out despite the
torrential hail of shells. When a Japanese grenade dropped squarely
into the foxhole, Private First Class Gurke, mindful that his companion
manned an automatic weapon of superior fire power and therefore could
provide more effective resistance, thrust him roughly aside and flushing
his own body over the missile to smother the explosion. With unswerving
devotion to duty and superb valor, Private First Class Gurke sacrificed
himself in order that his comrade might live to carry on the fight. He
gallantly gave his life in the service of his country."
From PFC Gurke's Medal of Honor citation, awarded on May 31, 1944.
May you be at peace,
Brian
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