
The President of the United States
in the name of The Congress
takes pleasure in presenting the
Medal of Honor
to
*WARNER, HENRY F.
Rank and Organization: Corporal, U.S. Army, Antitank
Company, 2d Battalion, 26th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division. Place and Date Near
Dom Butgenbach, Belgium, 20-21 December 1944. Entered Service at: Troy, N.C. Born:
23 August 1923, Troy, N.C. G.O. No.: 48, 23 June 1945.
Citation:
Serving as 57-mm. antitank gunner with the 2d Battalion, he was a major factor in stopping
enemy tanks during heavy attacks against the battalion position near Dom Butgenbach,
Belgium, on 20-21 December 1944. In the first attack, launched in the early morning of the
20th, enemy tanks succeeded in penetrating parts of the line. Cpl. Warner, disregarding
the concentrated cannon and machinegun fire from 2 tanks bearing down on him, and ignoring
the imminent danger of being overrun by the infantry moving under tank cover, destroyed
the first tank and scored a direct and deadly hit upon the second. A third tank approached
to within 5 yards of his position while he was attempting to clear a jammed breach lock.
Jumping from his gun pit, he engaged in a pistol duel with the tank commander standing in
the turret, killing him and forcing the tank to withdraw. Following a day and night during
which our forces were subjected to constant shelling, mortar barrages, and numerous
unsuccessful infantry attacks, the enemy struck in great force on the early morning of the
21st. Seeing a Mark IV tank looming out of the mist and heading toward his position, Cpl.
Warner scored a direct hit. Disregarding his injuries, he endeavored to finish the loading
and again fire at the tank whose motor was now aflame, when a second machinegun burst
killed him. Cpl. Warner's gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond
the call of duty contributed materially to the successful defense against the enemy
attacks.
|