HENDRIX, JAMES R. - Medal of Honor Recipient
Rank and organization: Private, U.S. Army, Company C, 53d Armored Infantry
Battalion, 4th Armored Division. Place and date: Near Assenois, Belgium,
26 December 1944. Entered service at: Lepanto, Ark. Birth: Lepanto, Ark.
G.O. No.: 74, 1 September 1945. Citation: On the night of 26 December 1944,
near Assenois, Belgium, he was with the leading element engaged in the
final thrust to break through to the besieged garrison at Bastogne when
halted by a fierce combination of artillery and small arms fire. He dismounted
from his half-track and advanced against two 88mm. guns, and, by the ferocity
of his rifle fire, compelled the guncrews to take cover and then to surrender.
Later in the attack he again left his vehicle, voluntarily, to aid 2 wounded
soldiers, helpless and exposed to intense machinegun fire. Effectively
silencing 2 hostile machineguns, he held off the enemy by his own fire
until the wounded men were evacuated. Pvt. Hendrix again distinguished
himself when he hastened to the aid of still another soldier who was trapped
in a burning half-track. Braving enemy sniper fire and exploding mines
and ammunition in the vehicle, he extricated the wounded man and extinguished
his flaming clothing, thereby saving the life of his fellow soldier. Pvt.
Hendrix, by his superb courage and heroism, exemplified the highest traditions
of the military service.
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