Pvt HERBERT F. CHRISTIAN
&
Pvt ELDEN H. JOHNSON
15th Infantry, 3rd ID
Near Valmontone, Italy
On the night of 2-3 June, Pvt Christian and Pvt Johnson’s unit was ambushed by an enemy force of approx. 60 riflemen, 3 machineguns, and 3 tanks at a range of less than 35 meters.
Although out in the open and illuminated by flairs, Christian stood erect and signaled to the patrol to withdraw, while pouring fire on the enemy positions.
Johnson also elected to cover his buddies retreat, he advanced in a slow deliberate walk to within 5 meters of a machinegun. He sent the enemy gun crew to their maker.
A tank main gun projectile ripped Christian’s right leg off, just above the knee, … he advanced on the bloody stump of his right thigh and his left knee.
Johnson eliminated several enemy soldiers including Crew served weapons and was still fighting when an enemy tank round killed him.
Johnson and Christian held their ground and, in spite of their it wounds, fought on to the last breath, making it possible for the remaining 12 of their unit to survive the ambush and fight another day.
These two men made a conscious decision to stand and fight while their brothers retreated to safety.
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