"He was serving as a machine gunner in the vicinity of Sars la Bruyere, Belgium, on the night of 4 September 1944, when his company was attacked
by a superior German force. Its position was overrun and he was
surrounded when our troops were driven back by overwhelming numbers and
firepower. Disregarding the fury of the enemy fire concentrated on him
he maintained his position, covering the withdrawal of our riflemen and
breaking the force of the enemy pressure. His assistant machine gunner
was killed and the position captured; the other 8 members of the section
were forced to surrender. Pfc. Merli slumped down beside the dead
assistant gunner and feigned death. No sooner had the enemy group
withdrawn then he was up and firing in all directions. Once more his
position was taken and the captors found 2 apparently lifeless bodies. Throughout the night Pfc. Merli stayed at his weapon. By daybreak the
enemy had suffered heavy losses, and as our troops launched an assault,
asked for a truce. Our negotiating party, who accepted the German
surrender, found Pfc. Merli still at his gun. On the battlefield lay 52
enemy dead, 19 of whom were directly in front of the gun. Pfc. Merli's
gallantry and courage, and the losses and confusion that he caused the
enemy, contributed materially to our victory."
From PFC Merli's Medal of Honor citation, awarded on June 15, 1945.
May you be at peace,
Brian
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