Edward A. Bennett

Corporal · U.S. Army

U.S. Army, Company B, 358th Infantry, 90th Infantry Division

February 1945 · Heckhuscheid, Germany

Branch: U.S. Army
Era: World War II
Home state: Ohio
Action: Heckhuscheid, Germany

The citation

Official citation

He was advancing with Company B across open ground to assault Heckhuscheid, Germany, just after dark when vicious enemy machinegun fire from a house on the outskirts of the town pinned down the group and caused several casualties. He began crawling to the edge of the field in an effort to flank the house, persisting in this maneuver even when the hostile machinegunners located him by the light of burning buildings and attempted to cut him down as he made for the protection of some trees. Reaching safety, he stealthily made his way by a circuitous route to the rear of the building occupied by the German gunners. With his trench knife he killed a sentry on guard there and then charged into the darkened house. In a furious hand-to-hand struggle he stormed about a single room which harbored 7 Germans. Three he killed with rifle fire, another he clubbed to death with the butt of his gun, and the 3 others he dispatched with his .45 caliber pistol. The fearless initiative, stalwart combat ability, and outstanding gallantry of Corporal. Bennett eliminated the enemy fire which was decimating his company's ranks and made it possible for the Americans to sweep all resistance from the town.

Sources

U.S. Army Medal of Honor citation index
Wikipedia. Linked only. The article text is not copied here.