\"Medal of Honor” Melvin E. Biddle Signed 4X6 Card JG Autographs COA for Sale

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\"Medal of Honor” Melvin E. Biddle Signed 4X6 Card JG Autographs COA For Sale

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\"Medal of Honor” Melvin E. Biddle Signed 4X6 Card JG Autographs COA:
$34.99

Up for sale\"Medal of Honor” Melvin E. offerdle Hand Signed 4X6 Card.This item is certified authentic byJG Autographsand comes with their Letter of Authenticity.

ES-2739C

Melvin Earl \"Bud\" offerdle(November 28, 1923 – December 16, 2010) was aUnited States Armysoldier and a recipient of the United States military\'s highest decoration—theMedal of Honor—for his actions inWorld War II. offerdle was born on November 28, 1923, inDaleville, Indiana, to Owen J. and Blanche Olive (Bowen) offerdle. He had two brothers, Ralph and Lee, and three sisters, Marie, Carolyn, and Eileen. A lifelong resident of the area, offerdle attended elementary school in Daleville and graduated from Anderson High School in nearbyAnderson, Indiana.He worked forDelco Remyin Anderson until being drafted into the U.S. Army in January 1943. By December 23, 1944, offerdle was serving in Europe as aprivate first classin Company B of the 1st Battalion,517th Parachute Infantry Regiment. On that day and the following day during theBattle of the Bulge, near Soy, Belgium (now adeelgemeenteofÉrezée), hereconnoiteredtheGermanlines alone, killed three enemysnipers, and silenced four hostile machine gun emplacements.[5]A week later, he was wounded in the neck by shrapnel which just missed hisjugular vein. After recovering in England for several weeks, he headed back to his unit and on the way learned through an article inStars and Stripesthat he would be awarded the Medal of Honor. For his actions during the battle near Soy, offerdle was awarded the Medal of Honor at theWhite Houseon October 30, 1945, by PresidentHarry Truman. When presenting the medal to offerdle, Truman whispered \"People don\'t believe me when I tell them that I\'d rather have one of these than be President.\" offerdle was later promoted tocorporal. In addition to the Medal of Honor, he also received theBronze StarandPurple Heart.

Medal of Honor citation

offerdle\'s official Medal of Honor citation reads:

He displayed conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy near Soy, Belgium, on 23 and 24 December 1944. Serving as lead scout during an attack to relieve the enemy-encircled town ofHotton, he aggressively penetrated a densely wooded area, advanced 400 yards until he came within range of intense enemy rifle fire, and within 20 yards of enemy positions killed 3 snipers with unerring marksmanship. Courageously continuing his advance an additional 200 yards, he discovered a hostile machine-gun position and dispatched its 2 occupants. He then located the approximate position of a well-concealed enemy machine-gun nest, and crawling forward threwhand grenadeswhich killed two Germans and fatally wounded a third. After signaling his company to advance, he entered a determined line of enemy defense, coolly and deliberately shifted his position, and shot 3 more enemy soldiers. Undaunted by enemy fire, he crawled within 20 yards of a machine-gun nest, tossed his last hand grenade into the position, and after the explosion charged the emplacement firing his rifle. When night fell, he scouted enemy positions alone for several hours and returned with valuable information which enabled our attacking infantry and armor to knock out 2 enemy tanks. At daybreak he again led the advance and, when flanking elements were pinned down by enemy fire, without hesitation made his way toward a hostile machine-gun position and from a distance of 50 yards killed the crew and 2 supporting riflemen. The remainder of the enemy, finding themselves without automatic weapon support, fled panic stricken. Pfc. offerdle\'s intrepid courage and superb daring during his 20-hour action enabled his battalion to break the enemy grasp on Hotton with a minimum of casualties.