"He displayed conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his
own life, above and beyond the call of duty, in action involving actual
conflict with the enemy on 21 November 1944, near Hurtgen, Germany. S/Sgt. Minick's battalion was halted in its advance by extensive
minefields, exposing troops to heavy concentrations of enemy artillery and mortar
fire. Further delay in the advance would result in numerous casualties
and a movement through the minefield was essential. Voluntarily, S/Sgt.
Minick led 4 men through hazardous barbed wire and debris, finally
making his way through the minefield for a distance of 300 yards. When
an enemy machine gun opened fire, he signaled his men to take covered
positions, edged his way alone toward the flank of the weapon and opened
fire, killing 2 members of the gun crew and capturing 3 others. Moving
forward again, he encountered and engaged single-handedly an entire
company killing 20 Germans and capturing 20, and enabling his platoon to
capture the remainder of the hostile group. Again moving ahead and
spearheading his battalion's advance, he again encountered machine gun
fire. Crawling forward toward the weapon, he reached a point from which
he knocked the weapon out of action. Still another minefield had to be
crossed. Undeterred, S/Sgt. Minick advanced forward alone through
constant enemy fire and while thus moving, detonated a mine and was
instantly killed."
From S/Sgt. Minick's Medal of Honor citation, awarded in 1948.
May you be at peace,
Brian & Mel
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