MEDAL OF HONOR
Citation:
DAY G. TURNER Plot, Row, Grave: E – 10 – 72
Sergeant, U. S. Army
Company B, 319th Infantry, 80th Infantry Division
Birth: Berwick, Columbia County, Pennsylvania
Entered service at: Nescopek, Pennsylvania
Place and date: At Dahl, Luxembourg, 8 January 1945
General Order Number 49, 28 June 1945
Citation: He commanded a 9-man squad with the mission of holding a critical flank position. When overwhelming numbers of the enemy attacked under cover of withering artillery, mortar and rocket fire, he withdrew his squad into a nearby house, determined to defend it to the last man. The enemy attacked again and again and were repulsed with heavy losses. Supported by direct tank fire, they finally gained entrance, but the intrepid sergeant refused to surrender although 5 of his men were wounded and one was killed. He boldly flung a can of flaming oil at the first wave of attackers, dispersing them, and fought doggedly from room to room, closing with the enemy in fierce hand-to-hand encounters. He hurled hand grenade for hand grenade, bayoneted 2 fanatical Germans who rushed a doorway he was defending and fought on with the enemy’s weapons when his own ammunition was expended. The savage fight raged for 4 hours, and finally, when only 3 men of the defending squad were left unwounded, the enemy surrendered. Twenty-five prisoners were taken, 11 enemy dead and a great number of wounded were counted. Sergeant Turner’s valiant stand will live on as a constant inspiration to his comrades. His heroic, inspiring leadership, his determination and courageous devotion to duty exemplify the highest tradition of the military service.
Sgt. Turner died exactly one month after this battle, on 8 February 1945.
===================================================
MEDAL OF HONOR
Citation:
WILLIAM D. McGEE Plot, Row, Grave: C – 7 – 13
Private, U.S. Army
Medical Detachment, 304th Infantry, 76th Infantry Division
Birth: Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana
Entered service at: Indianapolis, Indiana
Place and date: Near Mulheim, Germany, 18 March 1945
General Order Number 21, 26 February 1946
Citation: A medical aid man, he made a night crossing of the Moselle River with troops endeavoring to capture the town of Mulheim. The enemy had retreated in the sector where the assault boats landed, but had left the shore heavily strewn with antipersonnel mines. Two men of the first wave attempting to work their way forward detonated mines which wounded them seriously, leaving them bleeding and in great pain beyond the reach of their comrades. Entirely on his own initiative, Private McGee entered the minefield, brought out one of the injured to comparative safety, and had returned to rescue the second victim when he stepped on a mine and was severely wounded in the resulting explosion. Although suffering intensely and bleeding profusely, he shouted orders that none of his comrades was to risk his life by entering the death-sown field to render first aid that might have saved his life. In making the supreme sacrifice, Private McGee demonstrated a concern for the well-being of his fellow soldiers that transcended all considerations for his own safety and a gallantry in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service.
Nico's space 