In order to participate in the GunBroker Member forums, you must be logged in with your GunBroker.com account. Click the sign-in button at the top right of the forums page to get connected.
Big ones... great big ones.
Doc
Member Posts: 13,898 ✭✭✭
I am still working on my book on Arkansas military history (New Year's resolution to finish it this year) so I am researching Medal of Honor recipients from the state. You read these accounts of their actions and it's hard to wrap your head around some of the things they did.
1st Lt. Edgar Harold Lloyd led his company against a force of 200 entrenched Germans. Rushing forward in the face of withering rifle and MG fire from heavily fortified enemy positions, Lloyd personally knocked out five machine gun nests killing the gun crews and numerous other German soldiers. He used his Thompson SMG until he closed and could lob a grenade into the MG nests.
Most interesting is what happened with the first MG nest he assaulted. He actually jumped into the trench. When a German soldier confronted him he dropped the Nazi with a right cross to the jaw. He then pulled the pin on a grenade and dropped it before leaping out of the gun pit.
He was awarded the MoA for his actions but sadly he was killed by a sniper two months later.
Can you imagine jumping into an enemy gun position and decking the guy with a punch? How about then dropping a grenade at your feet and hoping you can leap clear before it detonates?
1st Lt. Edgar Harold Lloyd led his company against a force of 200 entrenched Germans. Rushing forward in the face of withering rifle and MG fire from heavily fortified enemy positions, Lloyd personally knocked out five machine gun nests killing the gun crews and numerous other German soldiers. He used his Thompson SMG until he closed and could lob a grenade into the MG nests.
Most interesting is what happened with the first MG nest he assaulted. He actually jumped into the trench. When a German soldier confronted him he dropped the Nazi with a right cross to the jaw. He then pulled the pin on a grenade and dropped it before leaping out of the gun pit.
He was awarded the MoA for his actions but sadly he was killed by a sniper two months later.
Can you imagine jumping into an enemy gun position and decking the guy with a punch? How about then dropping a grenade at your feet and hoping you can leap clear before it detonates?
....................................................................................................
Too old to live...too young to die...
Too old to live...too young to die...
Comments
In Korea Lt. Burke charged a Chinese position with a 1911 in one hand and a grenade in the other. Shot half a dozen Chinese with the pistol and then threw the grenade at others further down the trench before jumping out.
Pinned down by enemy fire 30 yards below the trench, they began rolling grenades down the hill at him. Most rolled past him before exploding but he actually caught three of them and threw them back.
Later he led 35 men assaulting a Chinese bunker. He rushed forward carrying a 1919 Browning firing as he ran. He was credited with killing 100 Chinese soldiers and taking out 2 mortar positions and a machine gun nest.
Yes, they do give you a Medal of Honor for stuff like that. Went nicely with his Silver Star, Distinguished Service Cross, Bronze Star and multiple Purple hearts.
He was shot down in a helicopter in Vietnam. Retired after 35 years as a full colonel. Died in 1999.
I can't get past the idea of grabbing grenades coming at you and throwing them back. Holy crap...
Too old to live...too young to die...
That sounds unreal!!!! He was something else. They don't make many like him (sorry to say)
Go to http://www.cmohs.org/ And you will see there are Many Like him. Many of thier citations would make a great movie but people would think its fiction cause it could not have happened that way.
Thanks 4 the link Grump,I saved it..
On the day following the landing at Iwo Jima, he was creeping through a twisting ravine with three other men of his rifle team when the Japanese opened an attack on them. The men were in a trench when two enemy grenades landed nearby. Lucas pushed a thrown hand grenade into the volcanic ash and covered it with his rifle and his body. He reached out and pulled a second grenade beneath him. His companions had thought he died in the blast, so they left him, but he was amazingly still alive. Severely wounded in the right arm and wrist, right leg and thigh, and chest, Pvt. Lucas had undoubtedly saved his companions from serious injury and possible death.[2] After a fellow marine medic came to his aid, he figured out that one of the grenades was a dud.
quote:For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 263 during operations against enemy forces. Participating in a helicopter rescue mission to extract elements of a platoon which had inadvertently entered a minefield while attacking enemy positions, Pfc. Clausen skillfully guided the helicopter pilot to a landing in an area cleared by 1 of several mine explosions. With 11 marines wounded, 1 dead, and the remaining 8 marines holding their positions for fear of detonating other mines, Pfc. Clausen quickly leaped from the helicopter and, in the face of enemy fire, moved across the extremely hazardous mine laden area to assist in carrying casualties to the waiting helicopter and in placing them aboard. Despite the ever-present threat of further mine explosions, he continued his valiant efforts, leaving the comparatively safe area of the helicopter on 6 separate occasions to carry out his rescue efforts. On 1 occasion while he was carrying 1 of the wounded, another mine detonated, killing a corpsman and wounding 3 other men. Only when he was certain that all marines were safely aboard did he signal the pilot to lift the helicopter. By the courageous, determined and inspiring efforts in the face of the utmost danger, Pfc. Clausen upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the U.S. Naval Service.
It was real close for him the Pilots Kept ordering him to stay in the Aircraft and he Kept jumping out. They wanted to Court Martial Him.