"For gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond
the call of duty in action with the enemy at Bougainville, Solomon Islands, 30 January 1944. S/Sgt. Drowley, a squad leader in a platoon
whose mission during an attack was to remain under cover while holding
the perimeter defense and acting as a reserve for assaulting echelon,
saw 3 members of the assault company fall badly wounded. When intense
hostile fire prevented aid from reaching the casualties, he fearlessly
rushed forward to carry the wounded to cover. After rescuing 2 men,
S/Sgt. Drowley discovered an enemy pillbox undetected by assaulting
tanks that was inflicting heavy casualties upon the attacking force and
was a chief obstacle to the success of the advance. Delegating the
rescue of the third man to an assistant, he ran across open terrain to 1
of the tanks. Signaling to the crew, he climbed to the turret,
exchanged his weapon for a submachine gun and voluntarily rode the deck of the tank directing it toward the pillbox by tracer fire.
The tank, under constant heavy enemy fire, continued to within 20 feet
of the pillbox where S/Sgt. Drowley received a severe bullet wound in
the chest. Refusing to return for medical treatment, he remained on the
tank and continued to direct its progress until the enemy box was
definitely located by the crew. At this point he again was wounded by
small arms fire, losing his left eye and falling to the ground. He
remained alongside the tank until the pillbox had been completely
demolished and another directly behind the first destroyed. S/Sgt.
Drowley, his voluntary mission successfully accomplished, returned alone
for medical treatment."
From S/Sgt. Drowley's Medal of Honor citation, awarded on September 6, 1944.
Thank you for your service and my you be at peace,
Brian
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