Medal of Honor: Charles F. Carey, Jr. – World War II – France – January 1945
When enemy armor and infantry broke through the line, he refused to yield ground or men. Against tanks, snipers, and encirclement, he fought with relentless initiative until struck down.
January 9, 2026
Name: Charles F. Carey, Jr.
Rank: Technical Sergeant
Organization: U.S. Army
Unit: 397th Infantry Regiment, 100th Infantry Division
Place: Rimling, France
Entered Service At: Cheyenne, Wyoming
Born: Canadian, Oklahoma
Summary of Action
On 8 January 1945, during heavy fighting near Rimling, France, Technical Sergeant Charles F. Carey, Jr. commanded an antitank platoon when his battalion was assaulted by approximately 200 German infantrymen supported by 12 tanks. The enemy attack overran part of the American position, and T/Sgt. Carey’s antitank guns were lost in the initial onslaught.
Acting entirely on his own initiative, T/Sgt. Carey organized a patrol and moved into the threatened sector, rescuing two isolated squads and evacuating their wounded under fire. Without pause, he formed a second patrol and advanced against an enemy-held house that dominated the area with intense fire. Covered by his men, he personally approached the building, killed two snipers with rifle fire, hurled a grenade through the doorway, and entered alone. Minutes later, he emerged with 16 German prisoners. Information he provided led directly to the capture of 41 additional enemy soldiers in nearby buildings.
Undeterred, T/Sgt. Carey organized another patrol and advanced to within a few yards of an enemy tank. Using a rocket launcher, he disabled the vehicle. As the tank crew attempted to escape their burning machine, he calmly engaged them with his rifle, killing three and wounding a fourth.
In the early hours of 9 January, German infantry infiltrated the western part of Rimling and surrounded a house where one of Carey’s squads had been posted. Four soldiers were trapped in the attic. Demonstrating ingenuity under fire, T/Sgt. Carey maneuvered an old staircase into position and personally rescued the trapped men.
Later that day, while attempting to reach an outpost, he was struck down by enemy sniper fire. His fearless leadership, aggressive initiative, and unyielding courage in the face of overwhelming enemy forces were instrumental in helping his battalion withstand a determined German assault.
Medal of Honor Citation
He organized a second patrol and advanced against an enemy-held house from which vicious fire issued, preventing the free movement of our troops. Covered by fire from his patrol, he approached the house, killed 2 snipers with his rifle, and threw a grenade in the door. He entered alone and a few minutes later emerged with 16 prisoners. Acting on information he furnished, the American forces were able to capture an additional 41 Germans in adjacent houses.
He assembled another patrol, and, under covering fire, moved to within a few yards of an enemy tank and damaged it with a rocket. As the crew attempted to leave their burning vehicle, he calmly shot them with his rifle, killing 3 and wounding a fourth.
Early in the morning of 9 January, German infantry moved into the western part of the town and encircled a house in which T/Sgt. Carey had previously posted a squad. Four of the group escaped to the attic. By maneuvering an old staircase against the building, T/Sgt. Carey was able to rescue these men.
Later that day, when attempting to reach an outpost, he was struck down by sniper fire. The fearless and aggressive leadership of T/Sgt. Carey, his courage in the face of heavy fire from superior enemy forces, provided an inspiring example for his comrades and materially helped his battalion to withstand the German onslaught.
