Medal of Honor: William D. McGee – U.S. Army – World War II

Name: William D. McGee
Rank: Private
Branch: U.S. Army
Unit: Medical Detachment, 304th Infantry Regiment, 76th Infantry Division
Place: Near Mülheim, Germany
Entered Service At: Indianapolis, Indiana
Born: Indianapolis, Indiana
G.O. No.: 21, 26 February 1946

Summary of Action

During a night crossing of the Moselle River near Mülheim, Germany, Pvt. William D. McGee accompanied assault troops advancing toward the town.

Though the enemy had withdrawn from the immediate landing area, they had left the shoreline heavily seeded with antipersonnel mines.

As the first wave moved forward, two soldiers triggered mines and were left severely wounded—stranded in the deadly field, bleeding and unable to move.

Without orders, and fully aware of the danger, McGee entered the minefield alone.

He reached the first wounded soldier and carried him back to relative safety.

Then, without hesitation, he turned and went back in.

As he attempted to reach the second man, he stepped on a mine. The explosion inflicted devastating wounds.

Despite intense pain and heavy blood loss, McGee remained conscious long enough to shout orders to his comrades—commanding them not to enter the minefield to try to save him.

He chose to deny them that risk, sacrificing any chance of his own survival to protect others from the same fate.

Medal of Honor Citation

McGEE, WILLIAM D.

A medical aid man, he made a night crossing of the Moselle River with troops endeavoring to capture the town of Mülheim. The enemy had retreated in the sector where the assault boats landed, but had left the shore heavily strewn with antipersonnel mines. Two men of the first wave attempting to work their way forward detonated mines which wounded them seriously, leaving them bleeding and in great pain beyond the reach of their comrades. Entirely on his own initiative, Pvt. McGee entered the minefield, brought out 1 of the injured to comparative safety, and had returned to rescue the second victim when he stepped on a mine and was severely wounded in the resulting explosion. Although suffering intensely and bleeding profusely, he shouted orders that none of his comrades was to risk his life by entering the death-sown field to render first aid that might have saved his life. In making the supreme sacrifice, Pvt. McGee demonstrated a concern for the well-being of his fellow soldiers that transcended all considerations for his own safety and a gallantry in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service.