
The President of the United States
in the name of The Congress
takes pleasure in presenting the
Medal of Honor
to
*TURNER, DAY G.
Rank and Organization: Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company B, 319th Infantry, 80th
Infantry Division. Place and Date At Dahl, Luxembourg, 8 January 1945. Entered
service at: Nescopek, Pa. Birth: Berwick, Pa. G.O. No.: 49, 28
June 1945.
Citation:
He commanded a 9-man squad with the mission of holding a critical flank position. When
overwhelming numbers of the enemy attacked under cover of withering artillery, mortar, and
rocket fire, he withdrew his squad into a nearby house, determined to defend it to the
last man. The enemy attacked again and again and were repulsed with heavy losses.
Supported by direct tank fire, they finally gained entrance, but the intrepid sergeant
refused to surrender although 5 of his men were wounded and 1 was killed. He boldly flung
a can of flaming oil at the first wave of attackers, dispersing them, and fought doggedly
from room to room, closing with the enemy in fierce hand-to-hand encounters. He hurled
handgrenade for handgrenade, bayoneted 2 fanatical Germans who rushed a doorway he was
defending and fought on with the enemy's weapons when his own ammunition was expended. The
savage fight raged for 4 hours, and finally, when only 3 men of the defending squad were
left unwounded, the enemy surrendered. Twenty-five prisoners were taken, 11 enemy dead and
a great number of wounded were counted. Sgt. Turner's valiant stand will live on as a
constant inspiration to his comrades His heroic, inspiring leadership, his determination
and courageous devotion to duty exemplify the highest tradition of the military service .
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