Medal of Honor: John R. Crews – World War II – April 8, 1945

Name: John R. Crews
Rank: Staff Sergeant
Branch: U.S. Army
War: World War II
Unit: Company F, 253d Infantry Regiment, 63d Infantry Division
Date of Action: April 8, 1945
Location: Near Lobenbacherhof, Germany

Summary of Action

On 8 April 1945, Staff Sergeant John R. Crews distinguished himself in action near Lobenbacherhof, Germany.

As his company advanced toward the village under heavy fire, an enemy machine gun and automatic rifle supported by riflemen opened from a hill on the right flank.

Their fire struck down his platoon leader and threatened to halt the attack.

Acting immediately on his own initiative, Crews charged the strongpoint with two men from his platoon.

During the assault, one of his companions was killed and the other badly wounded.

Crews continued alone.

Climbing the hill through terrific enemy fire, he stormed the dug-in machine-gun position single-handedly.

At point-blank range, he killed two members of the crew with his M1 rifle and wrested the machine gun from a wounded German soldier.

Without pause, he turned and charged the nearby automatic-rifle emplacement.

Crossfire from remaining enemy troops struck him in the thigh, badly wounding him.

He refused to stop.

Continuing forward, he silenced the entire position with accurate and deadly rifle fire.

His ferocious attack unnerved the surviving enemy soldiers.

Seven surrendered on the spot, while others fled in panic.

By drawing the enemy’s attention onto himself, Crews enabled his company to continue the advance and seize the village.

His extraordinary courage and relentless fighting spirit reflected the highest traditions of the United States Army.

Medal of Honor Citation

CREWS, JOHN R.

He displayed conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty on 8 April 1945 near Lobenbacherhof, Germany. As his company was advancing toward the village under heavy fire, an enemy machinegun and automatic rifle with rifle support opened upon it from a hill on the right flank. Seeing that his platoon leader had been wounded by their fire, S/Sgt. Crews, acting on his own initiative, rushed the strongpoint with 2 men of his platoon. Despite the fact that 1 of these men was killed and the other was badly wounded, he continued his advance up the hill in the face of terrific enemy fire. Storming the well-dug-in position single-handedly, he killed 2 of the crew of the machinegun at pointblank range with his M1 rifle and wrested the gun from the hands of the German whom he had already wounded. He then with his rifle charged the strongly emplaced automatic rifle. Although badly wounded in the thigh by crossfire from the remaining enemy, he kept on and silenced the entire position with his accurate and deadly rifle fire. His actions so unnerved the remaining enemy soldiers that 7 of them surrendered and the others fled. His heroism caused the enemy to concentrate on him and permitted the company to move forward into the village.