SSgt. Robert E. Laws from Pennsylvania served in the 43rd ID during WW2 with a heart full of patriotism and with a no tolerance policy for fucks.
On Jan. 12, 1945, while conducting operations in the Pangasinan province, Philippines, Company G came under devastating enemy fire when it began attacking an enemy hill. The enemy force was well supplied with machineguns, grenades, and blocks of TNT and could be attacked only across a narrow ridge 70 yards long. At the end of this ridge stood an enemy pillbox.
Covered by his squad, SSgt Laws traversed the ridge through vicious enemy fire until he was close enough to hurl grenades into the pillbox. Suffering sever wounds from an enemy grenade, Laws persisted in his assault and destroyed the enemy position. He then attacked some entrenched riflemen; suffering additional wounds in both arms and legs, body and head, as grenades and TNT charges exploded near him.
Three Japs rushed him with fixed bayonets, and he emptied his magazine at point blank range, killing 2. With no ammunition left, he engaged in hand-to-hand combat with the third, seizing the Jap's rifle and began beating the fuck out of him. The 2 fell to the ground and rolled some 50 or 60 feet down a bank. When the dust cleared, the Jap lay dead and the valiant American was climbing up the hill with a large gash across the head. He was given first aid and evacuated from the area while his squad completed the destruction of the enemy positions.
For his actions, SSgt. Laws was awarded the Medal of Honor.
The smile says it all.
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