Posted on Jul 12, 2023
21 Of The Most Epic Combat Beatdowns From US Military History
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Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 3
WWI, WWII, Korean War, Vietnam and Enduring Freedom. Impressive range of stories
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Army Sgt. Troy McGill
Date: March 4, 1944
Mission: World War II
Weapon of choice: His spent rifle
What’s the deal? McGill’s eight-man squad was pinned down in a fortification on Papua New Guinea’s Los Negros Island amid “a furious attack by approximately 200 drink-crazed enemy troops,” leaving only McGill and one other soldier standing under heavy machine-gun fire. Cut off from his fellow troops, McGill ordered the other soldier to retreat before holding his ground to the death.
Tell me more: From the citation: “Courageously resolved to hold his position at all cost, he fired his weapon until it ceased to function. Then, with the enemy only five yards away, he charged from his foxhole in the face of certain death and clubbed the enemy with his rifle in hand-to-hand combat until he was killed.”
Date: March 4, 1944
Mission: World War II
Weapon of choice: His spent rifle
What’s the deal? McGill’s eight-man squad was pinned down in a fortification on Papua New Guinea’s Los Negros Island amid “a furious attack by approximately 200 drink-crazed enemy troops,” leaving only McGill and one other soldier standing under heavy machine-gun fire. Cut off from his fellow troops, McGill ordered the other soldier to retreat before holding his ground to the death.
Tell me more: From the citation: “Courageously resolved to hold his position at all cost, he fired his weapon until it ceased to function. Then, with the enemy only five yards away, he charged from his foxhole in the face of certain death and clubbed the enemy with his rifle in hand-to-hand combat until he was killed.”
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Great list. I'll add this Soldier, SGT Leonard DeWitt as I had met him and he is a legend of the 41st Infantry Division.
From his DSC citation: "...When this ammunition was also exhausted, he threw his remaining grenades. Slipping over the edge of the gully and colliding with an enemy soldier, he threw his helmet, injured the soldier and demoralized enemy troops in the vicinity. By his daring, Sergeant DeWitt forestalled an enemy break-through and prevented heavier casualties and possible loss of the position."
He was recommended for the MOH, but because MacArthur hated the 41st, he would not endorse the request.
https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/30755
From his DSC citation: "...When this ammunition was also exhausted, he threw his remaining grenades. Slipping over the edge of the gully and colliding with an enemy soldier, he threw his helmet, injured the soldier and demoralized enemy troops in the vicinity. By his daring, Sergeant DeWitt forestalled an enemy break-through and prevented heavier casualties and possible loss of the position."
He was recommended for the MOH, but because MacArthur hated the 41st, he would not endorse the request.
https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/30755
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MAJ Dale E. Wilson, Ph.D.
Sounds just like MacArthur. The way he treated Lt. Gen. Eichelbarger was inexcusable!
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