"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life above and
beyond the call of duty, at Rechicourt, France. On September 27, 1944,
during a sharp action with the enemy infantry and tank
forces, 1st Lt. Fields personally led his platoon in a counterattack on
the enemy position. Although his platoon had been seriously depleted,
the zeal and fervor of his leadership was such as to inspire his small
force to accomplish their mission in the face of overwhelming enemy
opposition. Seeing that 1 of the men had been wounded, he left his slit trench
and with complete disregard for his personal safety attended the
wounded man and administered first aid. While returning to his slit
trench he was seriously wounded by a shell burst, the fragments of which
cut through his face and head, tearing his teeth, gums, and nasal
passage. Although rendered speechless by his wounds, 1st Lt. Fields
refused to be evacuated and continued to lead his platoon by the use of
hand signals. On 1 occasion, when 2 enemy machine guns had a portion of
his unit under deadly crossfire, he left his hole, wounded as he was,
ran to a light machine gun, whose crew had been knocked out, picked up
the gun and fired it from his hip with such deadly accuracy that both
the enemy gun positions were silenced. His action so impressed his men
that they found new courage to take up the fire fight, increasing their
firepower and exposing themselves more than ever to harass the enemy
with additional bazooka
and machine gun fire. Only when his objective had been taken and the
enemy scattered did 1st Lt. Fields consent to be evacuated to the
battalion command post. At this point he refused to move further back
until he had explained to his battalion commander by drawing on paper
the position of his men and the disposition of the enemy forces. The
dauntless and gallant heroism displayed by 1st Lt. Fields were largely
responsible for the repulse of the enemy forces and contributed in a
large measure to the successful capture of his battalion objective
during this action. His eagerness and determination to close with the
enemy and to destroy him was an inspiration to the entire command, and
are in the highest traditions of the U.S. Armed Forces.
From Captain Fields' Medal of Honor citation, awarded on February 27, 1945.
Thank you for your service and may you be at peace,
Brian
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