
The President of the United States
in the name of The Congress
takes pleasure in presenting the
Medal of Honor
to
BRITT, MAURICE L.
Rank and organization: Captain (then
Lieutenant), U.S. Army, 3d Infantry Division. Place and date: North of Mignano,
Italy, 10 November 1943. Entered service at: Lonoke, Ark. Born: 29 June
1919, Carlisle, Ark. G.O. No.: 23, 24 March 1944.
Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the
call of duty. Disdaining enemy hand grenades and close-range machine pistol, machinegun,
and rifle, Lt. Britt inspired and led a handful of his men in repelling a bitter
counterattack by approximately 100 Germans against his company positions north of Mignano,
Italy, the morning of 10 November 1943. During the intense fire fight, Lt. Britt's canteen
and field glasses were shattered; a bullet pierced his side; his chest, face, and hands
were covered with grenade wounds. Despite his wounds, for which he refused to accept
medical attention until ordered to do so by his battalion commander following the battle,
he personally killed 5 and wounded an unknown number of Germans, wiped out one enemy
machinegun crew, fired 5 clips of carbine and an undetermined amount of Ml rifle
ammunition, and threw 32 fragmentation grenades. His bold, aggressive actions, utterly
disregarding superior enemy numbers, resulted in capture of 4 Germans, 2 of them wounded,
and enabled several captured Americans to escape. Lt. Britt's undaunted courage and
prowess in arms were largely responsible for repulsing a German counterattack which, if
successful, would have isolated his battalion and destroyed his company.
|