*CRAIN, MORRIS E.
Rank and organization: Technical Sergeant,
U.S. Army, Company E, 141st Infantry, 36th Infantry Division. Place and date:
Haguenau, France, 13 March 1945. Entered service at: Paducah, Ky. Birth:
Bandana, Ky. G.O. No.: 18, 13 February 1946.
Citation:
He led his platoon against powerful German forces during the struggle to enlarge the
bridgehead across the Moder River. With great daring and aggressiveness he spearheaded the
platoon in killing 10 enemy soldiers, capturing 12 more and securing its objective near an
important road junction. Although heavy concentrations of artillery, mortar, and
self-propelled gunfire raked the area, he moved about among his men during the day,
exhorting them to great efforts and encouraging them to stand firm. He carried ammunition
and maintained contact with the company command post, exposing himself to deadly enemy
fire. At nightfall the enemy barrage became more intense and tanks entered the fray to
cover foot troops while they bombarded our positions with grenades and rockets. As
buildings were blasted by the Germans, the Americans fell back from house to house. T/Sgt.
Crain deployed another platoon which had been sent to his support and then rushed through
murderous tank and small-arms fire to the foremost house, which was being defended by 5 of
his men. With the enemy attacking from an adjoining room and a tank firing pointblank at
the house, he ordered the men to withdraw while he remained in the face of almost certain
death to hold the position. Although shells were crashing through the walls and bullets
were hitting all around him, he held his ground and with accurate fire from his
submachinegun killed 3 Germans. He was killed when the building was destroyed by the
enemy. T/Sgt. Crain's outstanding valor and intrepid leadership enabled his platoon to
organize a new defense, repel the attack and preserve the hard-won bridgehead.
