"He commanded a 9-man squad with the mission of holding a critical flank
position. When overwhelming numbers of the enemy attacked under cover of
withering artillery, mortar,
and rocket fire, he withdrew his squad into a nearby house, determined
to defend it to the last man. The enemy attacked again and again and
were repulsed with heavy losses. Supported by direct tank fire, they
finally gained entrance, but the intrepid sergeant refused to surrender
although 5 of his men were wounded and 1 was killed. He boldly flung a
can of flaming oil at the first wave of attackers, dispersing them, and
fought doggedly from room to room, closing with the enemy in fierce
hand-to-hand encounters. He hurled hand grenade for hand grenade,
bayoneted 2 fanatical Germans who rushed a doorway he was defending and
fought on with the enemy's weapons when his own ammunition was expended. The savage fight raged for 4 hours, and finally, when only 3 men of the
defending squad were left unwounded, the enemy surrendered. Twenty-five
prisoners were taken, 11 enemy dead and a great number of wounded were
counted. Sgt. Turner's valiant stand will live on as a constant
inspiration to his comrades. His heroic, inspiring leadership, his
determination and courageous devotion to duty exemplify the highest
tradition of the military service."
From Sgt. Turner's Medal of Honor citation, awarded on June 28, 1945.
Be at peace,
Brian
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