Medal of Honor: Herbert F. Christian – World War II – June 2–3, 1944

Name: Herbert F. Christian
Rank: Private
Branch: U.S. Army
War: World War II
Unit: 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division
Date of Action: June 2–3, 1944
Location: Near Valmontone, Italy

Summary of Action

In the early hours of 3 June 1944, during the Allied drive toward Rome, Private Herbert F. Christian displayed one of the most extraordinary acts of self-sacrifice of the Italian Campaign.

At approximately 1:00 a.m., Christian's patrol was caught in a devastating ambush near Valmontone. The Americans suddenly found themselves under intense fire from approximately sixty German riflemen, three machine guns, and three tanks positioned only thirty yards away.

Illuminated by enemy flares and trapped in a killing zone, the patrol faced almost certain destruction.

Realizing that someone would have to draw the enemy's attention if the others were to survive, Christian made a conscious decision to sacrifice himself.

Standing fully exposed in the enemy fire, he signaled his fellow soldiers to withdraw.

As the patrol began pulling back, Christian deliberately advanced toward the enemy, firing his submachine gun to focus the Germans' attention on himself.

Moments later, a cannon round struck him, severing his right leg above the knee.

For most men, such a wound would have ended the fight instantly.

Christian refused to stop.

Despite unimaginable pain, he continued advancing toward the enemy, moving forward on his remaining knee and the bloody stump of his shattered leg while firing his weapon.

His fearless attack stunned the Germans and successfully diverted their fire away from the withdrawing patrol.

During the advance, he killed three enemy soldiers and continued pressing closer to the enemy positions.

Leaving a trail of blood behind him, he crawled and fought his way another twenty yards until he was within ten yards of the German line.

There he killed another enemy soldier armed with a machine pistol and continued firing directly into the enemy positions.

Furious at his defiance and unable to understand how one wounded American continued fighting, the Germans concentrated machine-gun, rifle, and automatic-weapons fire upon him.

Christian never sought cover.

Maintaining his exposed position, he continued firing until his last round was expended.

Only then did the concentrated enemy fire finally bring him down.

His sacrifice achieved its purpose.

All twelve members of the patrol escaped the ambush because one soldier willingly gave his life to save theirs.

Private Herbert F. Christian's courage, determination, and selfless devotion to his comrades remain among the most remarkable examples of battlefield heroism in American military history.

Medal of Honor Citation

CHRISTIAN, HERBERT F.

Rank and organization: Private, U.S. Army, 15th Infantry, 3d Infantry Division.

Place and date: Near Valmontone, Italy, 2–3 June 1944.

Entered service at: Steubenville, Ohio.

Birth: Byersville, Ohio.

G.O. No.: 43, 30 May 1945.

Citation:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life above and beyond the call of duty. On 2–3 June 1944, at 1 a.m., Pvt. Christian elected to sacrifice his life in order that his comrades might extricate themselves from an ambush. Braving massed fire of about 60 riflemen, 3 machineguns, and 3 tanks from positions only 30 yards distant, he stood erect and signaled to the patrol to withdraw. The whole area was brightly illuminated by enemy flares. Although his right leg was severed above the knee by cannon fire, Pvt. Christian advanced on his left knee and the bloody stump of his right thigh, firing his submachinegun. Despite excruciating pain, Pvt. Christian continued on his self-assigned mission. He succeeded in distracting the enemy and enabled his 12 comrades to escape. He killed 3 enemy soldiers almost at once. Leaving a trail of blood behind him, he made his way forward 20 yards, halted at a point within 10 yards of the enemy, and despite intense fire killed a machine-pistol man. Reloading his weapon, he fired directly into the enemy position. The enemy appeared enraged at the success of his ruse, concentrated 20-mm. machinegun, machine-pistol and rifle fire on him, yet he refused to seek cover. Maintaining his erect position, Pvt. Christian fired his weapon to the very last. Just as he emptied his submachinegun, the enemy bullets found their mark and Pvt. Christian slumped forward dead. The courage and spirit of self-sacrifice displayed by this soldier were an inspiration to his comrades and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the armed forces.