TSgt Vernon McGarity, Medal of Honor

Another World War Two Medal of Honor recipient has passed away. TSgt Vernon McGarity recieved the medal for his actions on the first day of the Battle of the Bulge.

From Military.com (http://www.military.com/daily-news/2013/05/24/medal-of-honor-recipient-vernon-mcgarity-dies.html?ESRC=eb.nl):

Another story from the New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/23/us/vernon-mcgarity-medal-of-honor-winner-dies-at-91.html?_r=0

Citation:

He was painfully wounded in an artillery barrage that preceded the powerful counteroffensive launched by the Germans near Krinkelt, Belgium, on the morning of 16 December 1944. He made his way to an aid station, received treatment, and then refused to be evacuated, choosing to return to his hard-pressed men instead. The fury of the enemy's great Western Front offensive swirled about the position held by T/Sgt. McGarity's small force, but so tenaciously did these men fight on orders to stand firm at all costs that they could not be dislodged despite murderous enemy fire and the breakdown of their communications. During the day the heroic squad leader rescued 1 of his friends who had been wounded in a forward position, and throughout the night he exhorted his comrades to repulse the enemy's attempts at infiltration. When morning came and the Germans attacked with tanks and infantry, he braved heavy fire to run to an advantageous position where he immobilized the enemy's lead tank with a round from a rocket launcher. Fire from his squad drove the attacking infantrymen back, and 3 supporting tanks withdrew. He rescued, under heavy fire, another wounded American, and then directed devastating fire on a light cannon which had been brought up by the hostile troops to clear resistance from the area. When ammunition began to run low, T/Sgt. McGarity, remembering an old ammunition hole about 100 yards distant in the general direction of the enemy, braved a concentration of hostile fire to replenish his unit's supply. By circuitous route the enemy managed to emplace a machinegun to the rear and flank of the squad's position, cutting off the only escape route. Unhesitatingly, the gallant soldier took it upon himself to destroy this menace single-handedly. He left cover, and while under steady fire from the enemy, killed or wounded all the hostile gunners with deadly accurate rifle fire and prevented all attempts to re-man the gun. Only when the squad's last round had been fired was the enemy able to advance and capture the intrepid leader and his men. The extraordinary bravery and extreme devotion to duty of T/Sgt. McGarity supported a remarkable delaying action which provided the time necessary for assembling reserves and forming a line against which the German striking power was shattered.

 

RIP McGarity


The eastern entrance of the Krinkelter Wald (aka Dreiherrnwald) where he fought his gallant action:

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As usual, great photos. Thanks for posting.

 

US 99th Inf Div memorial at the Krinkelter Wald

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I really like the fact that the memorial is completely rough except for the engraved, "99 US ID".

Be at peace, Mr. McGarity. :S!

 

Is there a listing of US military awards on the internet? I just noticed that in the Battle for the Elsenborn Ridge, 16 - 26 Dec 44, a number of Medals of Honor were awarded to US soldiers. Just wondering if there is a complete list of US military awards for this period and where to find it.

Edit : Got some suggestions over here http://www.ww2f.com/topic/50306-listing-of-us-awards/#entry553249

 

Two more images of the Dreiherrnwald forest where the 3rd Bn/393rd made a gallant stand on 16 and 17 Dec 44

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