"He spearheaded his unit's assault of the Siegfried Line in Germany. Heavy fire from enemy riflemen and camouflaged pillboxes had pinned down
his comrades when he moved forward on his own initiative to reconnoiter
a route of advance. He cleared the way into an area studded with
pillboxes, where he repeatedly stood up and walked into vicious enemy
fire, storming 1 fortification after another with automatic rifle fire
and grenades, killing enemy troops, taking prisoners as the enemy
defense became confused, and encouraging his comrades by his heroic
example. When halted by heavy barbed wire entanglements, he secured bangalore torpedoes
and blasted a path toward still more pillboxes, all the time braving
bursting grenades and mortar shells and direct rifle and
automatic-weapons fire. He engaged in fierce fire fights, standing in
the open while his adversaries fought from the protection of concrete
emplacements, and on 1 occasion pursued enemy soldiers across an open
field and through interlocking trenches, disregarding the crossfire from
2 pillboxes until he had penetrated the formidable line 200 yards in
advance of any American element. That night, although terribly fatigued,
he refused to rest and insisted on distributing rations and supplies to
his comrades. Hearing that a nearby company was suffering heavy
casualties, he secured permission to guide litter
bearers and assist them in evacuating the wounded. All that night he
remained in the battle area on his mercy missions, and for the following
2 days he continued to remove casualties, venturing into enemy-held
territory, scorning cover and braving devastating mortar and artillery
bombardments. In 3 days he neutralized and captured 6 pillboxes
single-handedly, killed at least 9 Germans, wounded 13, took 13
prisoners, aided in the capture of 14 others, and saved many American
lives by his fearless performance as a litter bearer. Through his superb
fighting skill, dauntless courage, and gallant, inspiring actions, Cpl.
Wilkin contributed in large measure to his company's success in
cracking the Siegfried Line. One month later he was killed in action
while fighting deep in Germany."
From Cpl. Wikin's Medal of Honor citation, awarded on December 17, 1945.
May you be at peace,
Brian
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