Medal of Honor: Hulon B. Whittington – World War II – July 29, 1944

Name: Hulon B. Whittington
Rank: Sergeant
Branch: U.S. Army
War: World War II
Unit: 41st Armored Infantry Regiment, 2nd Armored Division
Date of Action: July 29, 1944
Location: Near Grimesnil, France

Summary of Action

During the night of 29 July 1944, American forces near Grimesnil, France, faced a determined German armored counterattack as Allied troops pushed through Normandy.

Sergeant Hulon B. Whittington served as a squad leader in the 41st Armored Infantry Regiment when his platoon suddenly lost both its platoon leader and platoon sergeant, who became missing during the fighting.

Without hesitation, Whittington assumed command.

Moving under enemy fire, he reorganized the defensive positions and crawled from one gun position to another, checking on his men and directing their actions.

As German armor advanced toward an American roadblock, enemy tanks threatened to break through the defensive line.

Ignoring the intense enemy fire around him, Whittington climbed onto an American tank and shouted instructions through the turret to direct the crew into firing position.

The tank engaged the leading German Mark V Panther tank at point-blank range and destroyed it.

The burning vehicle blocked the narrow road and halted the entire German column.

More than one hundred enemy vehicles belonging to a Panzer force became trapped behind the disabled tank.

American forces then attacked the stalled column with bazookas, grenades, artillery fire, tanks, and infantry weapons.

Inspired by Whittington's leadership, American soldiers launched a determined bayonet charge that helped destroy the remaining resistance.

During the battle, the platoon's aidman became a casualty.

Whittington personally administered first aid to wounded soldiers while continuing to direct the defense.

His courage, leadership, and determination contributed directly to the destruction of the enemy attack and the defeat of the German armored force.

Sergeant Hulon B. Whittington's extraordinary heroism reflected the highest traditions of the United States Army.

Medal of Honor Citation

WHITTINGTON, HULON B.

Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Army, 41st Armored Infantry Regiment, 2nd Armored Division.

Place and date: Near Grimesnil, France, 29 July 1944.

Entered service at: Bastrop, Louisiana.

Born: 9 July 1921, Bogalusa, Louisiana.

G.O. No.: 32, 23 April 1945.

Citation:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty.

On the night of 29 July 1944, near Grimesnil, France, during an enemy armored attack, Sergeant Whittington, a squad leader, assumed command of his platoon when the platoon leader and platoon sergeant became missing in action.

He reorganized the defense and, under fire, courageously crawled between gun positions to check the actions of his men.

When the advancing enemy attempted to penetrate a roadblock, Sergeant Whittington, completely disregarding intense enemy action, mounted a tank and by shouting through the turret directed it into position to fire point-blank at the leading Mark V German tank.

The destruction of this vehicle blocked all movement of the remaining enemy column consisting of over one hundred vehicles of a Panzer unit.

The blocked vehicles were then destroyed by hand grenades, bazookas, tank, and artillery fire, and large numbers of enemy personnel were wiped out by a bold and resolute bayonet charge inspired by Sergeant Whittington.

When the medical aid man had become a casualty, Sergeant Whittington personally administered first aid to his wounded men.

The dynamic leadership, the inspiring example, and the dauntless courage of Sergeant Whittington, above and beyond the call of duty, are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service.