Medal of Honor: William Wylie Galt – World War II – May 29, 1944

Name: William Wylie Galt
Rank: Captain
Branch: U.S. Army
War: World War II
Unit: 168th Infantry Regiment, 34th Infantry Division
Date of Action: May 29, 1944
Location: Villa Crocetta, Italy

Summary of Action

On 29 May 1944, Captain William Wylie Galt displayed extraordinary heroism during combat operations near Villa Crocetta, Italy.

Following two unsuccessful assaults, his battalion found itself locked in a costly struggle against well-entrenched German defenses. The attack had stalled, casualties were mounting, and the situation had become critical.

Serving as the battalion operations officer (S-3), Galt could have remained safely behind the lines coordinating the battle. Instead, he moved forward on his own initiative to personally assess the situation.

After seeing the severity of the battlefield conditions, he volunteered to lead the next attack himself.

When the lone remaining tank destroyer hesitated to advance into the deadly fire zone, Galt climbed aboard and ordered the vehicle forward.

As the tank destroyer spearheaded the attack with a company of riflemen following behind, Galt manned the exposed .30-caliber machine gun mounted in the turret.

Spotting a German 77mm anti-tank gun threatening the advance, he directed fire onto the position and helped destroy it.

As the vehicle pushed deeper into enemy territory, Galt remained fully exposed above the turret despite intense sniper and machine-gun fire ricocheting around him.

Continuing to fire his machine gun and throw grenades into German trench systems, he relentlessly drove the assault forward.

Using the tank destroyer to maneuver against the enemy defenses, Galt trapped approximately forty German soldiers inside a trench network.

When they refused repeated opportunities to surrender, he opened fire and eliminated the entire group.

Even after destroying multiple enemy positions and helping break the German defenses, Galt refused to seek cover.

Moments later, an enemy 88mm shell struck the tank destroyer.

Captain Galt was mortally wounded and collapsed across his machine gun.

His fearless leadership, personal courage, and willingness to place himself in the most dangerous position on the battlefield inspired the attack that finally broke the enemy resistance and allowed the battalion to seize its objective.

Medal of Honor Citation

GALT, WILLIAM WYLIE

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty. Capt. Galt, Battalion S3, at a particularly critical period following 2 unsuccessful attacks by his battalion, of his own volition went forward and ascertained just how critical the situation was. He volunteered, at the risk of his life, personally to lead the battalion against the objective. When the lone remaining tank destroyer refused to go forward, Capt. Galt jumped on the tank destroyer and ordered it to precede the attack. As the tank destroyer moved forward, followed by a company of riflemen, Capt. Galt manned the .30-caliber machinegun in the turret of the tank destroyer, located and directed fire on an enemy 77mm. anti-tank gun, and destroyed it. Nearing the enemy positions, Capt. Galt stood fully exposed in the turret, ceaselessly firing his machinegun and tossing hand grenades into the enemy zigzag series of trenches despite the hail of sniper and machinegun bullets ricocheting off the tank destroyer. As the tank destroyer moved, Capt. Galt so maneuvered it that 40 of the enemy were trapped in one trench. When they refused to surrender, Capt. Galt pressed the trigger of the machinegun and dispatched every one of them. A few minutes later an 88mm shell struck the tank destroyer and Capt. Galt fell mortally wounded across his machinegun. He had personally killed 40 Germans and wounded many more. Capt. Galt pitted his judgment and superb courage against overwhelming odds, exemplifying the highest measure of devotion to his country and the finest traditions of the U.S. Army.