Name: Leo J. Powers
Rank: Private First Class
Branch: U.S. Army
Unit: 133d Infantry Regiment, 34th Infantry Division
Place: Northwest of Cassino, Italy (Hill 175)
Entered Service At: Alder Gulch, Montana
Born: Anselmo, Nebraska
Status: Survived action
Summary of Action
On 3 February 1944, Private First Class Leo J. Powers’ company was tasked with capturing Hill 175, a dominant and heavily fortified enemy strongpoint northwest of Cassino, Italy. The German defenders—at least 50 strong—were entrenched in three pillboxes, supported by machine guns and mortar fire from behind the hill. Their fire pinned the Americans down and inflicted eight casualties, halting the attack.
With his company unable to advance, Pfc. Powers acted entirely on his own initiative.
Under devastating fire, armed with only hand grenades, he crawled forward toward the first pillbox. Fully aware that discovery meant almost certain death, he inched to within 15 yards, then stood upright in full view of the enemy gunners and hurled a grenade through the small roof opening. The explosion killed two Germans and drove several others—wounded—from the position, silencing the gun.
Moments later, the advance was again stopped by fire from a second pillbox on the left flank. Pfc. Powers immediately crawled toward it across open ground with no cover. Rising again in full view, he threw a grenade into the pillbox at point-blank range, killing another enemy soldier and forcing several more to flee.
Without pause, still acting alone, Pfc. Powers moved toward the third pillbox, crawling under intense machine-pistol and machine-gun fire. Reaching a point only 10 yards from the emplacement, he again exposed himself completely, stood upright, and tossed two grenades into the opening. Two enemy soldiers were killed; four others—wounded—emerged and surrendered to the now unarmed American rifleman.
In a single-handed action across the entire company front, Pfc. Powers shattered the backbone of a key enemy defensive position. His actions enabled his regiment to advance and ultimately break into the city of Cassino.
Medal of Honor Citation
POWERS, LEO J.
Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, 133d Infantry, 34th Infantry Division.
Place and date: Northwest of Cassino, Italy, 3 February 1944.
Entered service at: Alder Gulch, Mont.
Birth: Anselmo, Nebr.
G.O. No.: 5, 15 January 1945.
Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life above and beyond the call of duty. On 3 February 1944, this soldier’s company was assigned the mission of capturing Hill 175, the key enemy strong point northwest of Cassino, Italy. The enemy, estimated to be at least 50 in strength, supported by machineguns emplaced in 3 pillboxes and mortar fire from behind the hill, was able to pin the attackers down and inflict 8 casualties. The company was unable to advance, but Pfc. Powers, a rifleman in 1 of the assault platoons, on his own initiative and in the face of the terrific fire, crawled forward to assault 1 of the enemy pillboxes which he had spotted. Armed with 2 handgrenades and well aware that if the enemy should see him it would mean almost certain death, Pfc. Powers crawled up the hill to within 15 yards of the enemy pillbox. Then standing upright in full view of the enemy gunners in order to throw his grenade into the small opening in the roof, he tossed a grenade into the pillbox. At this close, the grenade entered the pillbox, killed 2 of the occupants and 3 or 4 more fled the position, probably wounded. This enemy gun silenced, the center of the line was able to move forward again, but almost immediately came under machinegun fire from a second enemy pillbox on the left flank. Pfc. Powers, however, had located this pillbox, and crawled toward it with absolutely no cover if the enemy should see him. Raising himself in full view of the enemy gunners about 15 feet from the pillbox, Pfc. Powers threw his grenade into the pillbox, silencing this gun, killing another German and probably wounding 3 or 4 more who fled. Pfc. Powers, still acting on his own initiative, commenced crawling toward the third enemy pillbox in the face of heavy machine-pistol and machinegun fire. Skillfully availing himself of the meager cover and concealment, Pfc. Powers crawled up to within 10 yards of this pillbox fully exposed himself to the enemy gunners, stood upright and tossed the 2 grenades into the small opening in the roof of the pillbox. His grenades killed 2 of the enemy and 4 more, all wounded, came out and surrendered to Pfc. Powers, who was now unarmed. Pfc. Powers had worked his way over the entire company front, and against tremendous odds had single-handedly broken the backbone of this heavily defended and strategic enemy position, and enabled his regiment to advance into the city of Cassino. Pfc. Powers’ fighting determination and intrepidity in battle exemplify the highest traditions of the U.S. Armed Forces.
Name: Leo J. Powers
