Medal of Honor Spotlight: Staff Sergeant John R. Crews
📍 Near Lobenbacherhof, Germany — April 8, 1945
As WWII neared its end, Staff Sergeant John R. Crews of Company F, 253rd Infantry, 63rd Infantry Division, performed an act of extraordinary heroism that would earn him the nation’s highest military honor.
While his company advanced under withering enemy fire, a German machine gun and automatic rifle position on a hill opened up, wounding Crews’ platoon leader. Without hesitation, Crews led two men in a daring assault on the strongpoint. When one was killed and the other wounded, he charged ahead alone.
Under intense fire, he killed two enemy gunners at point-blank range with his M1 rifle and physically pulled the weapon from another wounded soldier. Though badly wounded himself, he pressed forward, silencing another enemy nest with deadly accurate fire.
His solo assault caused such panic among the enemy that seven surrendered on the spot. Crews’ fearless actions allowed his company to break through and continue the attack into the village.
For gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty, Staff Sergeant Crews received the Medal of Honor.

JOHN R CREWS

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