Medal of Honor: Robert Craig – World War II, July 11, 1944

Name: Robert Craig

Rank: Second Lieutenant
Conflict: World War II
Unit: 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, U.S. Army
Date of Action: July 11, 1943
Location: Near Favoratta, Sicily

Summary of Action:
During the early stages of the Allied invasion of Sicily, Second Lieutenant Robert Craig, a Scottish-born officer serving with the U.S. Army’s 3rd Infantry Division, faced a battlefield choked with danger. His company had been pinned down by a well-hidden enemy machine gun nest that had already wounded three officers attempting to silence it. Without hesitation, Lt. Craig volunteered to take on the mission himself.

Alone, he crawled through the rocky terrain under deadly fire and maneuvered to within 35 yards of the gun before he was spotted. At that moment, with no cover and bullets ripping the air around him, Craig did the unthinkable—he charged directly into the automatic fire, reaching the position, rising to his feet, and killing all three members of the enemy crew with his carbine. His daring cleared the way for his company to resume the assault.

But his heroism did not end there. As his platoon advanced over an exposed ridge, they were suddenly caught in the open by heavy fire from approximately 100 German soldiers. With no cover and casualties looming, Lt. Craig made a fateful decision. He ordered his men to retreat to the safety of the crest—then turned to face the enemy alone.

Knowing full well he would not survive, he advanced directly into their fire, drawing it toward himself. Kneeling just 25 yards from the enemy, he opened fire with deadly precision, killing five and wounding three before being struck down. His final, fearless act allowed his platoon to regroup, rally, and counterattack—routing the enemy and turning the tide of the fight.

Lt. Robert Craig’s self-sacrifice and gallant leadership saved lives and inspired victory. He gave everything he had for his men, and his name lives on in the honored annals of American military history.

Medal of Honor Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life, above and beyond the call of duty, on 11 July 1943 at Favoratta, Sicily. 2d Lt. Craig voluntarily undertook the perilous task of locating and destroying a hidden enemy machinegun which had halted the advance of his company. Attempts by 3 other officers to locate the weapon had resulted in failure, with each officer receiving wounds. 2d Lt. Craig located the gun and snaked his way to a point within 35 yards of the hostile position before being discovered. Charging headlong into the furious automatic fire, he reached the gun, stood over it, and killed the 3 crew members with his carbine. With this obstacle removed, his company continued its advance. Shortly thereafter while advancing down the forward slope of a ridge, 2d Lt. Craig and his platoon, in a position devoid of cover and concealment, encountered the fire of approximately 100 enemy soldiers. Electing to sacrifice himself so that his platoon might carry on the battle, he ordered his men to withdraw to the cover of the crest while he drew the enemy fire to himself. With no hope of survival, he charged toward the enemy until he was within 25 yards of them. Assuming a kneeling position, he killed 5 and wounded 3 enemy soldiers. While the hostile force concentrated fire on him, his platoon reached the cover of the crest. 2d Lt. Craig was killed by enemy fire, but his intrepid action so inspired his men that they drove the enemy from the area, inflicting heavy casualties on the hostile force.