"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life, above
and beyond the call of duty, on August 23, 1944. S/Sgt. Carey, leader
of a machine gun section, was advancing with his company in the attack on
the strongly held enemy hill 154, near Plougastel, Brittany, France.
The advance was held up when the attacking units were pinned down by
intense enemy machine gun fire from a pillbox 200 yards up the hill. From
his position covering the right flank, S/Sgt. Carey displaced his guns
to an advanced position and then, upon his own initiative, armed himself
with as many hand grenades as he could carry and without regard for his
personal safety started alone up the hill toward the pillbox. Crawling
forward under its withering fire, he proceeded 150 yards when he met a
German rifleman whom he killed with his carbine. Continuing his steady
forward movement until he reached grenade-throwing distance, he hurled
his grenades at the pillbox opening in the face of intense enemy fire
which wounded him mortally. Undaunted, he gathered his strength and
continued his grenade attack until one entered and exploded within the
pillbox, killing the occupants and putting their guns out of action.
Inspired by S/Sgt. Carey's heroic act, the riflemen quickly occupied the
position and overpowered the remaining enemy resistance in the
vicinity."
From S/Sgt. Carey's Medal of Honor citation, awarded in 1945.
Thank you for your service and may you be at peace,
Brian
No comments:
Post a Comment