"On 14 June, Captain
Urban's company, attacking at Renouf, France, encountered heavy enemy
small arms and tank fire. The enemy tanks were unmercifully raking his
unit's positions and inflicting heavy casualties. Captain Urban,
realizing that his company was in imminent danger of being decimated,
armed himself with a bazooka. He worked his way with an ammo carrier
through hedgerows, under a continuing barrage of fire, to a point near
the tanks. He brazenly exposed himself to the enemy fire and, firing the
bazooka, destroyed both tanks. Responding to Captain Urban's action,
his company moved forward and routed the enemy. Later that same day,
still in the attack near Orglandes, Captain Urban was wounded in the leg
by direct fire from a 37mm tank-gun. He refused evacuation and
continued to lead his company until they moved into defensive positions
for the night. At 0500 hours the next day, Captain Urban, though badly
wounded, directed his company in another attack. One hour later he was
again wounded. Suffering from two wounds, one serious, he was evacuated
to England. In mid-July, while recovering from his wounds, he learned of his
unit's severe losses in the hedgerows of Normandy. Realizing his unit's
need for battle-tested leaders, he voluntarily left the hospital and
hitchhiked his way back to his unit near St. Lo, France. Arriving at the
2d Battalion Command Post at 1130 hours, 25 July, he found that his
unit had jumped-off at 1100 hours in the first attack of "Operation
Cobra". Still limping from his leg wound, Captain Urban made his way
forward to retake command of his company. He found his company held up
by strong enemy opposition. Two supporting tanks had been destroyed and
another, intact but with no tank commander or gunner, was not moving. He
located a lieutenant in charge of the support tanks and directed a plan
of attack to eliminate the enemy strong-point. The lieutenant and a
sergeant were immediately killed by the heavy enemy fire when they tried
to mount the tank. Captain Urban, though physically hampered by his leg
wound and knowing quick action had to be taken, dashed through the
scathing fire and mounted the tank. With enemy bullets ricocheting from
the tank, Captain Urban ordered the tank forward and, completely exposed
to the enemy fire, manned the machine gun and placed devastating fire
on the enemy. His action, in the face of enemy fire, galvanized the
battalion into action and they attacked and destroyed the enemy
position. On 2 August, Captain Urban was wounded in the chest by shell
fragments and, disregarding the recommendation of the Battalion Surgeon,
again refused evacuation. On 6 August, Captain Urban became the
commander of the 2d Battalion. On 15 August, he was again wounded but
remained with his unit. On 3 September, the 2d Battalion was given the mission of
establishing a crossing-point on the Meuse River near Heer, Belgium. The
enemy planned to stop the advance of the allied Army by concentrating
heavy forces at the Meuse. The 2d Battalion, attacking toward the
crossing-point, encountered fierce enemy artillery, small arms and
mortar fire which stopped the attack. Captain Urban quickly moved from
his command post to the lead position of the battalion. Reorganizing the
attacking elements, he personally led a charge toward the enemy's
strong-point. As the charge moved across the open terrain, Captain Urban
was seriously wounded in the neck. Although unable to talk above a
whisper from the paralyzing neck wound, and in danger of losing his
life, he refused to be evacuated until the enemy was routed and his
battalion had secured the crossing-point on the Meuse River. Captain
Urban's personal leadership, limitless bravery, and repeated
extraordinary exposure to enemy fire served as an inspiration to his
entire battalion. His valorous and intrepid actions reflect the utmost
credit on him and uphold the noble traditions of the United States Army."
From Capt. Urban's Medal of Honor citation, awarded on September 18, 1980.
May you be at peace,
Brian
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