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| MEDAL
OF HONOR RECIPIENT HENRY F. WARNER |
Corporal, U.S. Army,
Antitank Company, 2d Battalion, 26th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division.
Place and date: Near Dom Bütgenbach, Belgium, 20-21 December 1944.
Entered service at: Troy, N.C.
Born: 23 August 1923, Troy, N.C.
G.O. No.: 48, 23 June 1945. |
Citation: Serving as 57-mm. antitank gunner with
the 2d Battalion, he was a major factor in stopping enemy tanks during
heavy attacks against the battalion position near Dom Butgenbach,
Belgium, on 20-21 December 1944.
In the first attack, launched in the early morning of the 20th, enemy
tanks succeeded in penetrating parts of the line. Cpl. Warner,
disregarding the concentrated cannon and machine-gun fire from 2 tanks
bearing down on him, and ignoring the imminent danger of being overrun
by the infantry moving under tank cover, destroyed the first tank and
scored a direct and deadly hit upon the second. A third tank approached
to within 5 yards of his position while he was attempting to clear a
jammed breach lock. Jumping from his gun pit, he engaged in a pistol
duel with the tank commander standing in the turret, killing him and
forcing the tank to withdraw.
Following a day and night during which our forces were subjected to
constant shelling, mortar barrages, and numerous unsuccessful infantry
attacks, the enemy struck in great force on the early morning of the
21st. Seeing a Mark IV tank looming out of the mist and heading toward
his position, Cpl. Warner scored a direct hit. Disregarding his
injuries, he endeavored to finish the loading and again fire at the
tank, whose motor was now aflame, when a second machinegun burst killed
him. Cpl. Warner's gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above
and beyond the call of duty contributed materially to the successful
defense against the enemy attacks. |
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