"He was in command of an antitank platoon when about 200 enemy
infantrymen and 12 tanks attacked his battalion, overrunning part of its
position. After losing his guns, T/Sgt. Carey, acting entirely on his
own initiative, organized a patrol and rescued 2 of his squads from a
threatened sector, evacuating those who had been wounded. He organized a
second patrol and advanced against an enemy-held house from which
vicious fire issued, preventing the free movement of our troops. Covered
by fire from his patrol, he approached the house, killed 2 snipers with
his rifle, and threw a grenade in the door. He entered alone and a few
minutes later emerged with 16 prisoners. Acting on information he
furnished, the American forces were able to capture an additional 41
Germans in adjacent houses. He assembled another patrol and, under
covering fire, moved to within a few yards of an enemy tank and damaged
it with a rocket. As the crew attempted to leave their burning vehicle,
he calmly shot them with his rifle, killing 3 and wounding a fourth.
Early in the morning of January 9, German infantry moved into the
western part of the town and encircled a house in which T/Sgt. Carey had
previously posted a squad. Four of the group escaped to the attic. By
maneuvering an old staircase against the building, T/Sgt. Carey was able
to rescue these men. Later that day, when attempting to reach an
outpost, he was struck down by sniper fire. The fearless and aggressive
leadership of T/Sgt. Carey, his courage in the face of heavy fire from
superior enemy forces, provided an inspiring example for his comrades
and materially helped his battalion to withstand the German onslaught."
From T/Sgt. Carey's Medal of Honor citation, awarded in July 1945.
Thank you for your service and may you be at peace,
Brian
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