"On the night of 26 December 1944, near Assenois, Belgium, he was with
the leading element engaged in the final thrust to break through to the
besieged garrison at Bastogne when halted by a fierce combination of
artillery and small arms fire. He dismounted from his half-track and advanced against two 88mm. guns,
and, by the ferocity of his rifle fire, compelled the gun crews to take
cover and then to surrender. Later in the attack he again left his
vehicle, voluntarily, to aid 2 wounded soldiers, helpless and exposed to
intense machinegun fire. Effectively silencing 2 hostile machine guns,
he held off the enemy by his own fire until the wounded men were
evacuated. Pvt. Hendrix again distinguished himself when he hastened to
the aid of still another soldier who was trapped in a burning
half-track. Braving enemy sniper fire and exploding mines
and ammunition in the vehicle, he extricated the wounded man and
extinguished his flaming clothing, thereby saving the life of his fellow
soldier. Pvt. Hendrix, by his superb courage and heroism, exemplified
the highest traditions of the military service."
From Pvt. Hendrix's Medal of Honor citation, awarded on August 23, 1945.
May you be at peace,
Brian
No comments:
Post a Comment