McGEE, WILLIAM D. - Medal of Honor Recipient
Rank and organization: Private, U.S. Army, Medical Detachment, 304th
Infantry, 76th Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Mulheim, Germany,
18 March 1945. Entered service at: Indianapolis, Ind. Birth: Indianapolis,
Ind. G.O. No.: 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,
Pvt. McGee entered the minefield, brought out 1 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, Pvt. 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.
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