WWII Battle of the Bulge Medal of Honor Recipient VERNON McGARITY Signed FDC

Description: WWII Battle of the Bulge Medal of Honor Recipient VERNON McGARITY Signed FDC Description: 1975 USA First Day Cover.Signed by. Technical Sergeant Thomas Vernon McGarity II (1921-2013) Medal of Honor Citation:He was painfully wounded in an artillery barrage that preceded the powerful counteroffensive launched by the Germans near Krinkelt, Belgium, on the morning of 16 December 1944. He made his way to an aid station, received treatment, and then refused to be evacuated, choosing to return to his hard-pressed men, instead. The fury of the enemy's great Western Front offensive swirled about the position held by T/Sgt. McGarity's small force, but so tenaciously did these men fight on orders to stand firm at all costs that they could not be dislodged despite murderous enemy fire and the breakdown of their communications. During the day, the heroic squad leader rescued one of his friends, who had been wounded in a forward position, and throughout the night, he exhorted his comrades to repulse the enemy's attempts at infiltration. When morning came and the Germans attacked with tanks and infantry, he braved heavy fire to run to an advantageous position where he immobilized the enemy's lead tank with a round from a rocket launcher. Fire from his squad drove the attacking infantrymen back, and three supporting tanks withdrew. He rescued, under heavy fire, another wounded American, and then directed devastating fire on a light cannon, which had been brought up by the hostile troops to clear resistance from the area. When ammunition began to run low, T/Sgt. McGarity, remembering an old ammunition hole about 100 yards distant in the general direction of the enemy, braved a concentration of hostile fire to replenish his unit's supply. By a circuitous route, the enemy managed to emplace a machinegun to the rear and flank of the squad's position, cutting off the only escape route. Unhesitatingly, the gallant soldier took it upon himself to destroy this menace single-handedly. He left cover, and while under steady fire from the enemy, killed or wounded all the hostile gunners with deadly accurate rifle fire and prevented all attempts to reman the gun. Only when the squad's last round had been fired was the enemy able to advance and capture the intrepid leader and his men. The extraordinary bravery and extreme devotion to duty of T/Sgt. McGarity supported a remarkable delaying action which provided the time necessary for assembling reserves and forming a line against which the German striking power was shattered. See images for further details. Shipping: All items shipped via the Royal Mail. The relevant customs label will be attached to all internationally shipped packages as per UK regulations. Please note: I'm not responsible for any additional customs charges which may apply in your country. I post everyday bar Sunday's & Bank Holidays and always obtain a receipt of postage. Combined Postage: Always happy to combine postage, so if you are purchasing multiple lots from my listings please place items in basket and Request Total once you have finished, and I will send you one combined invoice based on the size, weight and value of the contents as soon as possible, alternatively if you pay the stated postage I always without fail refund any excess postage paid. Orders over £25 posted via insured & tracked service up to the value of the goods at additional Royal Mail cost where applicable. Combined purchases may be despatched in more than one package, where this is more cost effective than a single package through the Royal Mail. Any questions, please ask and I will endeavour to reply as soon as possible. Payment: Combined postage invoices for auction items will be sent after the final item has finished for that day, so if you purchased more than one item via auction, please wait until invoice is sent before paying.Thank you. inkfrog terapeak

Price: 16.99 GBP

Location: Wigan

End Time: 2025-01-16T19:41:23.000Z

Shipping Cost: 3.71 GBP