"A medical aid man, he made a night crossing of the Moselle River
with troops endeavoring to capture the town of Mulheim. The enemy had
retreated in the sector where the assault boats landed, but had left the
shore heavily strewn with antipersonnel mines. Two men of the first
wave attempting to work their way forward detonated mines which wounded
them seriously, leaving them bleeding and in great pain beyond the reach
of their comrades. Entirely on his own initiative, Pvt. McGee entered
the minefield, brought out 1 of the injured to comparative safety, and
had returned to rescue the second victim when he stepped on a mine and
was severely wounded in the resulting explosion. Although suffering
intensely and bleeding profusely, he shouted orders that none of his
comrades was to risk his life by entering the death-sown field to render
first aid that might have saved his life. In making the supreme
sacrifice, Pvt. demonstrated a concern for the well-being of his fellow
soldiers that transcended all considerations for his own safety and a
gallantry in keeping with the highest traditions of the military
service."
From Pvt. McGee's Medal of Honor citation, awarded on February 26, 1946.
May you be at peace,
Brian & Mel
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