"He charged 30 yards through hip-deep snow to knock out a machinegun and
its 3-man crew with grenades, saving his platoon from being decimated
and allowing it to continue its advance from an open field into some
nearby woods. The platoon's advance through the woods had only begun
when a machinegun supported by riflemen opened fire and a Tiger Royal tank sent 88mm shells
screaming at the unit from the left flank. S/Sgt. Gammon, disregarding
all thoughts of personal safety, rushed forward, then cut to the left,
crossing the width of the platoon's skirmish line in an attempt to get
within grenade range of the tank and its protecting foot troops. Intense
fire was concentrated on him by riflemen and the machinegun emplaced
near the tank. He charged the automatic weapon, wiped out its crew of 4
with grenades, and, with supreme daring, advanced to within 25 yards of
the armored vehicle, killing 2 hostile infantrymen with rifle fire as he
moved forward. The tank had started to withdraw, backing a short
distance, then firing, backing some more, and then stopping to blast out
another round, when the man whose single-handed relentless attack had
put the ponderous machine on the defensive was struck and instantly
killed by a direct hit from the Tiger Royal's heavy gun. By his
intrepidity and extreme devotion to the task of driving the enemy back
no matter what the odds, S/Sgt. Gammon cleared the woods of German
forces, for the tank continued to withdraw, leaving open the path for
the gallant squad leader's platoon."
From S/Sgt. Gammon's Medal of Honor citation, awarded on February 13, 1946.
Painting of S/Sgt. Gammon's heroic deed.
Gammon's memorial in Danville, Virginia
News article of Gammon's honor.
Article of Gammon's memorial.
May you be at peace,
Brian & Melonie
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