Medal of Honor: Bobbie E. Brown, World War II, October 8, 1944

Name: Bobbie E. Brown
Rank: Captain
War: World War II
Date of Action: October 8, 1944
Unit: Company C, 18th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division
Entered Service At: Atlanta, Georgia
Born: September 2, 1903, Dublin, Georgia

Summary of Action
On October 8, 1944, outside the ancient German city of Aachen, Captain Bobbie E. Brown led his company against Crucifix Hill — a heavily fortified rise bristling with concrete pillboxes, machine guns, and artillery that anchored the German defense. When his men were pinned down by interlocking fire, Brown realized that the only way forward was through. Grabbing a pole charge, he crawled alone toward the nearest pillbox, bullets snapping around him. Reaching the steel aperture, he jammed the charge inside and dived for cover as the bunker erupted in fire and debris.
He did it again — and then again. Wounded by shrapnel from mortar bursts, he refused treatment, retrieving another explosive and crawling under fire to destroy a third pillbox that was mowing down his company. Each charge cleared a path for his soldiers to advance up the hill. Even after being hit twice more, Brown pushed on — moving through the smoke and chaos to rally his men, reorganize the assault, and personally scout enemy approaches. On one of these solo reconnaissance missions, he deliberately exposed himself to enemy fire to pinpoint gun positions, his information allowing artillery to destroy the German counterattack before it could reach his lines.
By the time Crucifix Hill was taken, Brown had silenced multiple emplacements, repelled two counterattacks, and been wounded three times — all while refusing to leave his post. His ferocity, endurance, and leadership on that day became legend within the 1st Infantry Division, sealing his place among its most honored warriors.

Medal of Honor Citation
BROWN, BOBBIE E.
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. Born: 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.