Matt Urban was an officer in the US Army who fought in World War 2, killing Nazis in 6 different campaigns on 2 different continents. He scouted, led charges upfront, and performed heroically in combat .
The Germans nicknamed him “The Ghost” because no matter how many times he got wounded, he kept coming back to the front lines. - Saw action in North Africa, Italy, France, Belgium and Germany
.
- Despite being previously wounded 3 separate times in North Africa, he landed on Omaha beach on D-Day with a broken leg and a cane. He managed to get his men off the beach by climbing on top of a tank and blasting German positions while being completely exposed to enemy fire
.
- On 14 June 1944, he single handedly destroyed 2 enemy tanks; despite taking a 37mm Tank round to the leg. He refused evacuation and continued to fight.
.
- At 0500 hours the next day, though badly wounded, he directed his company in another attack. One hour later he was again wounded. Suffering from two wounds, one serious, he was evacuated to England.
.
- While recovering from his wounds, he learned of his unit's severe losses in the hedgerows of Normandy. Realizing his unit's need for battle-tested leaders, he voluntarily left the hospital and hitchhiked his way back to his unit near St. Lo, France. He found his company held up by strong enemy opposition. Captain Urban, though physically hampered by his leg wound, dashed through the scathing fire and mounted a tank. With enemy bullets ricocheting from the tank, Captain Urban ordered the tank forward and, completely exposed to the enemy fire, manned the machine gun and placed devastating fire on the enemy….again
.
- On 2 August, Captain Urban was wounded in the chest by shell fragments and, disregarding the recommendation of the Battalion Surgeon, again refused evacuation.
.
- On Sept 3, he was shot in the neck during an attack.
.
Awarded 3 bronze stars, 7 purple hearts, 2 silver stars, the MOH and more, making him the most decorated soldier, surpassing Audie Murphy by 3 medals. #stayzero #ww2 #hardcore #badass