19-1

I haven't blogged in a while because I've been thinking about this.  I wish I was more eloquent in my retelling of this story.  It deserves as much as it can get.  Luckily, there is an article which chronicles this story much better than I have here.  When I get a copy, I'll type it up...

In March 1945, Henry William Hayden Jr. was in a foxhole on the side of a hill.  He was with one other soldier.  At the top of the hill, there were 19 Germans bearing down on them.  The rest of their battalion was at the bottom of the hill, too far away to help.  The other soldier with Henry decided it was a suicide mission to try and take these Germans on.  He got up to run back down the hill and was shot in the eye.  I guess he was right, for him.  Henry thought differently.  He had one clip for his M1 Grand, which held 8 rounds.  He also had 3 hand grenades.  He was not afraid to die, just afraid of being captured.  With his battalion watching from a distance, Henry stood up and fired all of his 8 rounds and did not miss.  He went 8/8.  Part of the 19 Germans was a machine gun rig.  He quickly took it out with one of his 3 grenades.  He took the remaining Germans out with his other 2 grenades.  19-1. Nineteen to One.  Winner, Henry.  For this, he was awarded the Silver Star - "for gallantry in action against an enemy of the United States."  Thank you. Thank you.