"He was commanding the 2d Battalion, 8th Infantry, in an attack through
the Hurtgen Forest near Schevenhutte, Germany, on 20 November 1944. During the early phases of the assault, the leading elements of his
battalion were halted by a minefield and immobilized by heavy hostile
fire. Advancing alone into the mined area, Col. Mabry established a safe
route of passage. He then moved ahead of the foremost scouts,
personally leading the attack, until confronted by a booby-trapped double concertina obstacle. With the assistance of the scouts, he disconnected the explosives and
cut a path through the wire. Upon moving through the opening, he
observed 3 enemy in foxholes whom he captured at bayonet point. Driving steadily forward he paced the assault against 3 log bunkers which housed mutually supported automatic weapons. Racing up a slope ahead of his men, he found the initial bunker
deserted, then pushed on to the second where he was suddenly confronted
by 9 onrushing enemy. Using the butt of his rifle, he felled 1 adversary
and bayoneted a second, before his scouts came to his aid and assisted
him in overcoming the others in hand-to-hand combat. Accompanied by the
riflemen, he charged the third bunker under pointblank small arms
fire and led the way into the fortification from which he prodded 6
enemy at bayonet point. Following the consolidation of this area, he led
his battalion across 300 yards of fire-swept terrain to seize elevated
ground upon which he established a defensive position which menaced the
enemy on both flanks, and provided his regiment a firm foothold on the
approach to the Cologne
Plain. Col. Mabry's superlative courage, daring, and leadership in an
operation of major importance exemplify the finest characteristics of
the military service."
From Lt. Col. Mabry Jr's Medal of Honor citation, awarded in September 1945.
May you be at peace,
Brian
American warrior hero. Rest in Peace , Sir.
ReplyDelete