"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of his life above and
beyond the call of duty. On 13 September 1944, in Brittany, France, the
2nd Battalion in its attack on the fortified city of Brest was held up by
a strongly defended enemy position which had prevented its advance
despite repeated attacks extending over a 3-day period. Finally, Company
F advanced to within several hundred yards of the enemy position but
was again halted by intense fire. Realizing that the position must be
neutralized without delay, S/Sgt. Hallman ordered his squad to cover his
movements with fire while he advanced alone to a point from which he
could make the assault. Without hesitating, S/Sgt. Hallman leaped over a
hedgerow
into a sunken road, the central point of the German defenses which was
known to contain an enemy machinegun position and at least 30 enemy
riflemen. Firing his carbine
and hurling grenades, S/Sgt. Hallman, unassisted, killed or wounded 4
of the enemy, then ordered the remainder to surrender. Immediately, 12
of the enemy surrendered and the position was shortly secured by the
remainder of his company. Seeing the surrender of this position, about
75 of the enemy in the vicinity surrendered, yielding a defensive
organization which the battalion with heavy supporting fires had been
unable to take. This single heroic act on the part of S/Sgt. Hallman
resulted in the immediate advance of the entire battalion for a distance
of 2,000 yards to a position from which Fort Keranroux
was captured later the same day. S/Sgt. Hallman's fighting
determination and intrepidity in battle exemplify the highest tradition
of the U.S. Armed Forces."
From S/Sgt. Hallman's Medal of Honor citation, awarded on May 31, 1945.
May you be at peace,
Brian
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