"He fought gallantly during an attack against strong enemy forces
defending Drabenderhöhe, Germany, from the dug-in positions on
commanding ground. As squad leader of a light machinegun section
supporting the advance of the 1st and 3d Platoons, he braved direct
rifle, machinegun, 20mm., and mortar
fire, some of which repeatedly missed him only by inches, and rushed
forward over 350 yards of open, rolling fields to reach a position from
which he could fire on the enemy troops. From this vantage point he
killed the crews of a 20mm. gun and a machinegun, drove several enemy
riflemen from their positions, and so successfully shielded the 1st
Platoon, that it had time to reorganize and remove its wounded to
safety. Observing that the 3d Platoon to his right was being met by very
heavy 40mm and machine gun fire, he ran 150 yards with his gun to the
leading elements of that unit, where he killed the crew of the 40mm.
gun. As spearhead of the 3d Platoon's attack, he advanced, firing his
gun held at hip height, disregarding the bullets that whipped past him,
until the assault had carried 175 yards to the objective. In this charge
he and the riflemen he led killed or wounded many of the fanatical
enemy and put 2 machine guns out of action. Pfc. Hastings, by his
intrepidity, outstanding leadership, and unrelenting determination to
wipe out the formidable German opposition, cleared the path for his
company's advance into Drabenderhöhe. He was killed 4 days later while
again supporting the 3d Platoon."
From PFC. Hastings' Medal of Honor citation, awarded on November 8, 1945.
May you be at peace,
Brian
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