Medal of Honor recipients (September 1944)

[NormanStewart]

2LT Daniel Warnel Lee Sr., 25, USA (1919–1985)

HQ Platoon, Troop A, 117th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron (Mechanized)
Montrevel, France
September 2, 1944
Presented January 23, 1946

The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to 1LT (Cav), [then 2LT] Daniel Warnel Lee Sr., United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action above and beyond the call of duty. 1LT Daniel W. Lee was leader of Headquarters Platoon, Troop A, 117th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron, Mechanized, at Montrevel, France, on September 2, 1944, when the Germans mounted a strong counterattack, isolating the town and engaging its outnumbered defenders in a pitched battle.

After the fight had raged for hours and our forces had withstood heavy shelling and armor-supported infantry attacks, 2LT Lee organized a patrol to knock out mortars which were inflicting heavy casualties on the beleaguered reconnaissance troops. He led the small group to the edge of the town, sweeping enemy riflemen out of position on a ridge from which he observed seven Germans manning two large mortars near an armored half-track about 100 yards down the reverse slope. Armed with a rifle and grenades, he left his men on the high ground and crawled to within 30 yards of the mortars, where the enemy discovered him and unleashed machine-pistol fire which shattered his right thigh. Scorning retreat, bleeding and suffering intense pain, he dragged himself relentlessly forward. He killed five of the enemy with rifle fire and the others fled before he reached their position. Fired on by an armored car, he took cover behind the German halftrack and there found a Panzerfaust with which to neutralize this threat. Despite his wounds, he inched his way toward the car through withering machinegun fire, maneuvering into range, and blasted the vehicle with a round from the rocket launcher, forcing it to withdraw. Having cleared the slope of hostile troops, he struggle back to his men, where he collapsed from pain and loss of blood. 2LT Lee’s outstanding gallantry, willing risk of life, and extreme tenacity of purpose in coming to grips with the enemy, although suffering from grievous wounds, set an example of bravery and devotion to duty in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service.

[NormanStewart]

CPT Matthew Louis Urban, 25, USA (1919–1995)

Company F, 2nd Battalion, 60th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division
France and Belgium
June 14 – September 3, 1944
Presented July 19, 1980

The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to CPT (Inf) Matt Louis Urban, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action from June 14 to September 3, 1944, while assigned to the 2d Bn, 60th Inf. Reg., 9th Inf. Div.

On June 14, CPT Urban’s company, attacking at Renouf, France, encountered heavy enemy small arms and tank fire. The enemy tanks were unmercifully raking his unit’s positions and inflicting heavy casualties. CPT Urban, realizing that his company was in imminent danger of being decimated, armed himself with a bazooka. He worked his way with an ammo carrier through hedgerows, under a continuing barrage of fire, to a point near the tanks. He brazenly exposed himself to the enemy fire and, firing the bazooka, destroyed both tanks. Responding to CPT Urban’s action, his company moved forward and routed the enemy. Later that same day, still in the attack near Orglandes, CPT Urban was wounded in the leg by direct fire from a 37mm tank-gun. He refused evacuation and continued to lead his company until they moved into defensive positions for the night. At 0500 hours the next day, still in the attack near Orglandes, CPT Urban, though badly wounded, directed his company in another attack. One hour later he was again wounded. Suffering from two wounds, one serious, he was evacuated to England. In mid-July, 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 hear Saint-Lô, France. Arriving at the 2d Bn. Command Post at 1130 hours, July 25, he found that his unit had jumped-off at 1100 hours in the first attack of Operation COBRA. Still limping from his leg wound, CPT Urban made his way forward to retake command of his company. He found his company held up by strong enemy opposition. Two supporting tanks had been destroyed and another, intact but with no tank commander or gunner, was not moving. He located a lieutenant in charge of the support tanks and directed a plan of attack to eliminate the enemy strongpoint. The lieutenant and a sergeant were immediately killed by the heavy enemy fire when they tried to mount the tank. CPT Urban, though physically hampered by his leg wound and knowing quick action had to be taken, dashed through the scathing fire and mounted the tank. With enemy bullets ricocheting from the tank, CPT Urban ordered the tank forward and, completely exposed to the enemy fire, manned the machine gun and placed devastating fire on the enemy. His action, in the face of enemy fire, galvanized the battalion into action and they attacked and destroyed the enemy position. On August 2, CPT Urban was wounded in the chest by shell fragments and, disregarding the recommendation of the Bn. Surgeon, again refused evacuation. On August 6, CPT Urban became the commander of the 2d Bn. On August 15, he was again wounded but remained with his unit. On September 3, the 2d Bn. Was given the mission of establishing a crossing-point on the Meuse River near Heer, Belgium. The enemy planned to stop the advance of the allied Army by concentrating heavy forces at the Meuse. The 2d Bn, attacking toward the crossing-point, encountered fierce enemy artillery, small arms and mortar fire which stopped the attack. CPT Urban quickly moved from his command post to the lead position of the battalion. Reorganizing the attacking elements, he personally led a charge toward the enemy’s strongpoint. As the charge moved across the open terrain, CPT Urban was seriously wounded in the neck. Although unable to talk above a whisper from the paralyzing neck wound, and in danger of losing his life, he refused to be evacuated until the enemy was routed and his battalion had secured the crossing-point on the Meuse River. CPT Urban’s personal leadership, limitless bravery, and repeated extraordinary exposure to enemy fire served as an inspiration to his entire battalion. His valorous and intrepid actions reflect the utmost credit on him and uphold the noble traditions of the U.S. Army.