|
TAPS
Fading light dims the sight,
And a star gems the sky,
Gleaming bright.
From afar drawing nigh,
Falls the night.
Day is done, gone the sun,
From the lake, From the hills,
From the sky.
All is well, safely rest,
God is nigh.
Then good night, Peaceful night,
Till the light of the dawn
Shineth bright,
God is near, do not fear,
Friend, good night. |
|
|
|
|
BORN:
March 03, 1923 at Henderson, KY
Entered Service in the US
Marine Corps from Kentucky
Earned
The Medal of Honor During World War II For heroism on July
21 & 22, 1944 at Asan-Adelup Beachhead, Guam
DIED: April
06, 1976 at the age of 53
|
|
Private First
Class Skaggs was serving as squad leader with a mortar section
of a rifle company during action against enemy forces on the
Asan-Adelup beachhead, Guam. When the section leader became a
casualty under a heavy mortar barrage shortly after landing,
Private First Class Skaggs promptly assumed command and led the
section through intense fire for a distance of 200 yards to a
position from which to deliver effective coverage of the assault
on a strategic cliff. Valiantly defending this vital position
against strong enemy counterattacks during the night, Private
First Class Skaggs was critically wounded when a Japanese
grenade lodged in his foxhole and exploded, shattering the lower
part of one leg. Quick to act, he applied an improvised
tourniquet and, while propped up in his foxhole, gallantly
returned the enemy's fire with his rifle and hand grenades for a
period of eight hours, later crawling unassisted to the rear to
continue the fight until the Japanese had been annihilated.
Uncomplaining and calm throughout this critical period, Private
First Class Skaggs served as a heroic example of courage and
fortitude to other wounded men.
|
|
