On Dec 16, 1944, the second day of the Battle of the Bulge, PFC Richard Cowan and the men from M Co, 23IR, 2ID were attacked by a superior force of Wehrmacht infantry and tanks near the town of Krinkelt Wald, Belgium
Cowan and his comrades repulsed the first six waves of attacking German infantry, but a seventh drive with tanks killed most of his MG section, leaving him to man his gun.
He stood his ground, holding off heavy German attacks. A King Tiger tank began shelling his position with 88m fire, but Cowan continued to deliver devastating fire into the German ranks.
Barely missed by another shell from the tank and fire from three German machine guns and rockets, he stood by his gun. Finally, after he had killed an estimated one hundred of the enemy, his position became untenable.
Cowan lifted the heavy gun on his back and escaped into the village of Krinkelt. Out of ammunition and too exhausted to carry the gun, he received permission to destroy it. He then picked up a rifle and joined other infantry in defending the town. He was killed by enemy fire the next day on December 17, 1944.
For his actions, he would posthumously receive the Medal of Honor.
#ballsdeep #stayzero #zerofoxtrot #hardfuck #bodystacker