Medal of Honor: Paul B. Huff – U.S. Army – World War II

Name: Paul B. Huff
Rank: Corporal
Branch: U.S. Army
Unit: 509th Parachute Infantry Battalion
Place: Near Carano, Italy
Entered Service At: Cleveland, Tennessee
Born: Cleveland, Tennessee

Summary of Action

Near Carano, Italy, Corporal Paul B. Huff volunteered to lead a six-man patrol tasked with locating and identifying an enemy force that was delivering heavy fire on the exposed right flank of his company. The ground ahead was open and rolling, offering little cover and giving the enemy clear visibility.

As the patrol advanced, it was immediately subjected to intense small-arms and machine-gun fire, along with a concentration of mortar rounds bursting within only a few yards. Moving ahead of his patrol, Cpl. Huff deliberately exposed himself, drawing fire from three enemy machine-gun positions and a 20-millimeter weapon.

Realizing the grave danger facing his men, he advanced alone through a minefield under deadly fire, closing to within seventy-five yards of the nearest machine-gun emplacement. Crawling the remaining distance under direct fire from another gun to his rear, he assaulted the position, killing the crew with his submachine gun and destroying the weapon. Firing from a kneeling position, he deliberately attracted additional enemy fire, allowing him to accurately determine the strength and locations of the opposing force.

Still under concentrated fire, Cpl. Huff returned to his patrol and safely led his men back to friendly lines. Acting on the intelligence he provided, a stronger patrol later attacked the enemy force, routing a German company of approximately 125 men, killing 27 and capturing 21, at the cost of only three American casualties.

His daring, leadership, and fearless combat skill directly enabled the destruction of a superior enemy force and exemplified the highest traditions of the American infantryman.

Medal of Honor Citation

HUFF, PAUL B.

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life above and beyond the call of duty, in action on 8 February 1944, near Carano, Italy. Cpl. Huff volunteered to lead a 6-man patrol with the mission of determining the location and strength of an enemy unit which was delivering fire on the exposed right flank of his company. The terrain over which he had to travel consisted of exposed, rolling ground, affording the enemy excellent visibility. As the patrol advanced, its members were subjected to small arms and machinegun fire and a concentration of mortar fire, shells bursting within 5 to 10 yards of them and bullets striking the ground at their feet. Moving ahead of his patrol, Cpl. Huff drew fire from 3 enemy machineguns and a 20mm. weapon. Realizing the danger confronting his patrol, he advanced alone under deadly fire through a minefield and arrived at a point within 75 yards of the nearest machinegun position. Under direct fire from the rear machinegun, he crawled the remaining 75 yards to the closest emplacement, killed the crew with his submachine gun and destroyed the gun. During this act he fired from a kneeling position which drew fire from other positions, enabling him to estimate correctly the strength and location of the enemy. Still under concentrated fire, he returned to his patrol and led his men to safety. As a result of the information he gained, a patrol in strength sent out that afternoon, 1 group under the leadership of Cpl. Huff, succeeded in routing an enemy company of 125 men, killing 27 Germans and capturing 21 others, with a loss of only 3 patrol members. Cpl. Huff’s intrepid leadership and daring combat skill reflect the finest traditions of the American infantryman.