On 17 February 1944, near Padigilone, Italy, PFC William Johnston of the 180th/45th ID was manning his MG when a force of 80 Germans assaulted his position.
He managed to kill 25 before the remainder retreated.
All day, he manned his gun without relief, subject to mortar, artillery, and sniper fire. Two Germans individually worked so close to his position that his machinegun was ineffective, whereupon he killed 1 with his pistol, the second with a rifle taken from another solider.
He volunteered to cover the platoon's withdrawal and stayed up all night; killing 7 more the following morning.
The attacks on his position resumed, until he was shot in the chest; a few inches above his heart. Despite this, he crawled back behind his machinegun with the help of another soldier and told him to leave him there.
Now alone, Johnston continued firing until he realized that he was completely surrounded and now deep behind enemy lines.
Though reported killed, PFC Johnston was seen returning to the American lines on the morning of 19 February, slowly and painfully working his way back from his overrun position through enemy lines.
His actions not only stopped a major attack, but was able to provide valuable Intel while behind the lines.
He was awarded the Medal of Honor and lived until succumbing from an unprecedented avalanche of virgins in 1990. #ww2 #stayzero #zerofoxtrot