SGT Troy A. McGill, 29, USA (1914–1944)
Los Negros, Admiralty Islands
Troop G, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division
March 4, 1944
Presented September 11, 1944
Posthumous
The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor (posthumously) to SGT Troy A. McGill, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of while serving with Troop G, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, in action with the enemy at Los Negros Island, Admiralty Group, on March 4, 1944.
In the early morning hours SGT McGill, with a squad of eight men, occupied a revetment which bore the brunt of a furious attack by approximately 200 drink-crazed enemy troops. Although covered by crossfire from machine guns on the right and left flank he could receive no support from the remainder of our troops stationed at his rear. All members of the squad were killed or wounded except SGT McGill and another man, whom he ordered to return to the next revetment. Courageously resolved to hold his position at all cost, he fired his weapon until it ceased to function. Then, with the enemy only five yards away, he charged from his foxhole in the face of certain death and clubbed the enemy with his rifle in hand-to-hand combat until he was killed. At dawn 105 enemy dead were found around his position. SGT McGill’s intrepid stand was an inspiration to his comrades and a decisive factor in the defeat of a fanatical enemy.