Pfc. Thomas P. Gibson, 22, son of Mrs. Billie Gibson, of Lake Logan section, Canton, RFD No. 3, who was blinded by German mortar fire in Italy in June 1944, has been awarded the Distinguished Service Cross by Lt. Gen. Mark W. Clark, for "extraordinary heroism in action."
Before an assembly of blinded soldiers at the Old Farms Convalescent Hospital at Avon, Conn., Gibson received the medal from Col. Frederich H. Thorne, commanding officer. He was the first recipient of such and award at the hospital.
The citation accompanying the award described the action near Istia, Italy, and told how Gibson's platoon became pinned down by enemy machine gun fire from a nearby building.
"Ignoring the fact that any movement brought instant deadly fire from the enemy," the citation said, "Pfc. Gibson on his own initiative rushed across open ground and opened fire, forcing one machine gun to withdraw. Another machine gun opened fire on him, but he held his position and returned fire to enable his squad to advance and enter the building."
The citation described other action in which Gibson broke up machine gun attacks and enemy counterattacks and concluded:
"The Germans in desperation then concentrated its mortar fire on his position, totally blinding him. The heroic performance of Pfc. Gibson resulted in saving the lives of his comrades, accounted for 16 dead Germans and enabled his company to accomplish its missions."
Before an assembly of blinded soldiers at the Old Farms Convalescent Hospital at Avon, Conn., Gibson received the medal from Col. Frederich H. Thorne, commanding officer. He was the first recipient of such and award at the hospital.
The citation accompanying the award described the action near Istia, Italy, and told how Gibson's platoon became pinned down by enemy machine gun fire from a nearby building.
"Ignoring the fact that any movement brought instant deadly fire from the enemy," the citation said, "Pfc. Gibson on his own initiative rushed across open ground and opened fire, forcing one machine gun to withdraw. Another machine gun opened fire on him, but he held his position and returned fire to enable his squad to advance and enter the building."
The citation described other action in which Gibson broke up machine gun attacks and enemy counterattacks and concluded:
"The Germans in desperation then concentrated its mortar fire on his position, totally blinding him. The heroic performance of Pfc. Gibson resulted in saving the lives of his comrades, accounted for 16 dead Germans and enabled his company to accomplish its missions."
Pfc. Thomas P. Gibson, 22, son of Mrs. Billie Gibson, of Lake Logan section, Canton, RFD No. 3, who was blinded by German mortar fire in Italy in June 1944, has been awarded the Distinguished Service Cross by Lt. Gen. Mark W. Clark, for "extraordinary heroism in action."
Before an assembly of blinded soldiers at the Old Farms Convalescent Hospital at Avon, Conn., Gibson received the medal from Col. Frederich H. Thorne, commanding officer. He was the first recipient of such and award at the hospital.
The citation accompanying the award described the action near Istia, Italy, and told how Gibson's platoon became pinned down by enemy machine gun fire from a nearby building.
"Ignoring the fact that any movement brought instant deadly fire from the enemy," the citation said, "Pfc. Gibson on his own initiative rushed across open ground and opened fire, forcing one machine gun to withdraw. Another machine gun opened fire on him, but he held his position and returned fire to enable his squad to advance and enter the building."
The citation described other action in which Gibson broke up machine gun attacks and enemy counterattacks and concluded:
"The Germans in desperation then concentrated its mortar fire on his position, totally blinding him. The heroic performance of Pfc. Gibson resulted in saving the lives of his comrades, accounted for 16 dead Germans and enabled his company to accomplish its missions."
Before an assembly of blinded soldiers at the Old Farms Convalescent Hospital at Avon, Conn., Gibson received the medal from Col. Frederich H. Thorne, commanding officer. He was the first recipient of such and award at the hospital.
The citation accompanying the award described the action near Istia, Italy, and told how Gibson's platoon became pinned down by enemy machine gun fire from a nearby building.
"Ignoring the fact that any movement brought instant deadly fire from the enemy," the citation said, "Pfc. Gibson on his own initiative rushed across open ground and opened fire, forcing one machine gun to withdraw. Another machine gun opened fire on him, but he held his position and returned fire to enable his squad to advance and enter the building."
The citation described other action in which Gibson broke up machine gun attacks and enemy counterattacks and concluded:
"The Germans in desperation then concentrated its mortar fire on his position, totally blinding him. The heroic performance of Pfc. Gibson resulted in saving the lives of his comrades, accounted for 16 dead Germans and enabled his company to accomplish its missions."
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