World War II Medal of Honor Recipient. Born in Oakland, California and raised in nearby Piedmont, he served in the United States Army during World War II as a First Lieutenant in the 3rd Reconnaissance Troop, 3rd Infantry Division. Near Agrigento, Sicily, July 17, 1943, he volunteered to lead a 3-vehicle patrol into enemy held territory to locate an isolated Ranger unit. Proceeding under cover of darkness, the patrol's progress was halted at a destroyed bridge and was suddenly cut off from its supporting vehicles by 4 enemy tanks. Out numbered and out gunned, he quickly dispersed his vehicles and ordered his gunners to open fire with their .30 and .50 caliber machineguns. Then, with 3 of his men hit and himself wounded, he seized his .45 caliber Thompson sub-machinegun and standing directly in the line of fire, alone he engaged the leading tank killing the crew members, causing the tank to crash into the stream bed. After dispatching 1 of the men for aid he rallied the rest to cover and withstood the continued fire of the tanks till the arrival of relief the following morning. He was awarded the Medal of Honor on October 21, 1943 and returned to combat action in Europe where he was later killed in France.
World War II Medal of Honor Recipient. Born in Oakland, California and raised in nearby Piedmont, he served in the United States Army during World War II as a First Lieutenant in the 3rd Reconnaissance Troop, 3rd Infantry Division. Near Agrigento, Sicily, July 17, 1943, he volunteered to lead a 3-vehicle patrol into enemy held territory to locate an isolated Ranger unit. Proceeding under cover of darkness, the patrol's progress was halted at a destroyed bridge and was suddenly cut off from its supporting vehicles by 4 enemy tanks. Out numbered and out gunned, he quickly dispersed his vehicles and ordered his gunners to open fire with their .30 and .50 caliber machineguns. Then, with 3 of his men hit and himself wounded, he seized his .45 caliber Thompson sub-machinegun and standing directly in the line of fire, alone he engaged the leading tank killing the crew members, causing the tank to crash into the stream bed. After dispatching 1 of the men for aid he rallied the rest to cover and withstood the continued fire of the tanks till the arrival of relief the following morning. He was awarded the Medal of Honor on October 21, 1943 and returned to combat action in Europe where he was later killed in France.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
Inscription
1 LT 3 RCN TRP 3 DIV
California MAR 28 1945
Medal of Honor
Family Members
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