"He displayed extraordinary heroism and gallantry in action on 27 – March
28, 1945, in Germany. Following an airborne landing near Wesel,
his unit was assigned as the assault platoon for the assault on
Lembeck. Three times the landing elements were pinned down by intense automatic weapons fire from strongly defended positions. Each time, T/Sgt. Hedrick fearlessly charged through heavy fire, shooting his automatic rifle
from his hip. His courageous action so inspired his men that they
reduced the enemy positions in rapid succession. When 6 of the enemy
attempted a surprise, flanking movement, he quickly turned and killed
the entire party with a burst of fire. Later, the enemy withdrew across a
moat into Lembeck Castle. T/Sgt. Hedrick, with utter disregard for his
own safety, plunged across the drawbridge alone in pursuit. When a
German soldier, with hands upraised, declared the garrison wished to
surrender, he entered the castle yard with 4 of his men to accept the
capitulation. The group moved through a sally port,
and was met by fire from a German self-propelled gun. Although mortally
wounded, T/Sgt. Hedrick fired at the enemy gun and covered the
withdrawal of his comrades. He died while being evacuated after the
castle was taken. His great personal courage and heroic leadership
contributed in large measure to the speedy capture of Lembeck and
provided an inspiring example to his comrades."
From T/Sgt. Hedrick's Medal of Honor citation, awarded on October 19, 1945.
May you be at peace,
Brian
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