"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life above and
beyond the call of duty, in action on 8 February 1944, near Carano,
Italy. Cpl. Huff volunteered to lead a 6-man patrol with the mission of
determining the location and strength of an enemy unit which was
delivering fire on the exposed right flank of his company. The terrain
over which he had to travel consisted of exposed, rolling ground,
affording the enemy excellent visibility. As the patrol advanced, its
members were subjected to small arms and machine gun fire and a concentration of mortar
fire, shells bursting within 5 to 10 yards of them and bullets striking
the ground at their feet. Moving ahead of his patrol, Cpl. Huff drew
fire from 3 enemy machine guns and a 20mm weapon. Realizing the danger confronting his patrol, he advanced alone under deadly fire through a minefield
and arrived at a point within 75 yards of the nearest machine gun
position. Under direct fire from the rear machine gun, he crawled the
remaining 75 yards to the closest emplacement, killed the crew with his sub-machine gun
and destroyed the gun. During this act he fired from a kneeling
position which drew fire from other positions, enabling him to estimate
correctly the strength and location of the enemy. Still under
concentrated fire, he returned to his patrol and led his men to safety. As a result of the information he gained, a patrol in strength sent out
that afternoon, 1 group under the leadership of Cpl. Huff, succeeded in
routing an enemy company of 125 men, killing 27 Germans and capturing 21
others, with a loss of only 3 patrol members. Cpl. Huff's intrepid
leadership and daring combat skill reflect the finest traditions of the
American infantryman."
From Cpl. Huff's Medal of Honor citation, awarded on June 8, 1944.
May you be at peace,
Brian
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