The President of the United States
in the name of The Congress
takes pleasure in presenting the
Medal of Honor
to
BROWN, BOBBIE E.
Rank and organization: Captain, U S. Army,
Company C, 18th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division. Place and date: Crucifix Hill,
Aachen, Germany, 8 October 1944. Entered service at: Atlanta, Ga. Born:
2 September 1903, Dublin, Ga. G.O. No.: 74, 1 September 1945.
Citation: He commanded Company C, 18th Infantry Regiment,
on 8 October 1944, when it, with the Ranger Platoon of the 1st Battalion, attacked
Crucifix Hill, a key point in the enemy's defense of Aachen, Germany. As the leading rifle
platoon assaulted the first of many pillboxes studding the rising ground, heavy fire from
a flanking emplacement raked it. An intense artillery barrage fell on the American troops
which had been pinned down in an exposed position. Seeing that the pillboxes must be
neutralized to prevent the slaughter of his men, Capt. Brown obtained a pole charge and
started forward alone toward the first pillbox, about 100 yards away. Hugging the ground
while enemy bullets whipped around him, he crawled and then ran toward the aperture of the
fortification, rammed his explosive inside and jumped back as the pillbox and its
occupants were blown up. He rejoined the assault platoon, secured another pole charge, and
led the way toward the next pillbox under continuous artillery mortar, automatic, and
small-arms fire. He again ran forward and placed his charge in the enemy fortification,
knocking it out. He then found that fire from a third pillbox was pinning down his
company; so he returned to his men, secured another charge, and began to creep and crawl
toward the hostile emplacement. With heroic bravery he disregarded opposing fire and
worked ahead in the face of bullets streaming from the pillbox. Finally reaching his
objective, he stood up and inserted his explosive, silencing the enemy. He was wounded by
a mortar shell but refused medical attention and, despite heavy hostile fire, moved
swiftly among his troops exhorting and instructing them in subduing powerful opposition.
Later, realizing the need for information of enemy activity beyond the hill, Capt. Brown
went out alone to reconnoiter. He observed possible routes of enemy approach and several
times deliberately drew enemy fire to locate gun emplacements. Twice more, on this
self-imposed mission, he was wounded; but he succeeded in securing information which led
to the destruction of several enemy guns and enabled his company to throw back 2 powerful
counterattacks with heavy losses. Only when Company C's position was completely secure did
he permit treatment of his 3 wounds. By his indomitable courage, fearless leadership, and
outstanding skill as a soldier, Capt. Brown contributed in great measure to the taking of
Crucifix Hill, a vital link in the American line encircling Aachen. |
