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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. Birth: 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.
This data was extracted from the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, U.S. Senate, Medal of Honor Recipients: 1863-1973 (Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1973)
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