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Action at Bracht (Belgium)
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| Sergeant Harry W. Butler Jr., 33 539 939, Headquarters Company 1st Battalion while serving with the Army of the United States, distinguished himself by heroic achievement in connection with military operations not involving participation in aerial flight against an enemy of the United States. |
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21 December 1944
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| On 21 December 1944, the 1st Battalion of the 424th Infantry was located on an open hill about 300 yards in front of Bracht, Belgium. It was a misty afternoon and the visibility was fair. The Battalion had been experiencing heavy casualties during this initial stage of the German breakthrough, later known as "The Bulge". The CP was being defended by part of the Ammunition and Pioneer Platoon, of which Sgt. Butler was a squad leader. |
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| They were dig in on a clear hilly ridge surrounded chiefly by a dense forest, in the rear of the various line companies' deleted ranks. All were under excellent enemy observation. In the foxholes defending the CP were Sgt. Harry Butler, S/Sgt Eskenazi (then PFC), and PFC Roger (then Pvt). They were about 100 yards in front of the Battalion CP. Sgt Butler was armed with an M-1, however he felt he needed a weapon that would give more fire power like a machine gun's sustained fire. |
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| He searched the area thoroughly, even though under small arms fire constantly, until he located three 30 Cal. machine guns. He distributed 2 of these in strategic positions and used one for himself. Sgt Butler was not trained with a machine gun but insisted on "learning as he fired". Then it was necessary to search the area for ammunition. He openly risked his life but succeeded in gathering up 3000 rounds of MG ammunition which he volunteered to distribute. At about 1630 hours several enlisted men became excited by a rumor that three German tanks and a company of enemy infantrymen were advancing to attack the hill. Soon several more men straggled down the hill, abandoning their positions and repeating the rumor. |
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| It is to be noted that the men had had little or no sleep since 16 December 1944 and that their nerves were extremely tense. By 1700 hours most of the Battalion was spread along the road leading away from the front lines. Sgt Butler, Sgt Eskenazi and PFC Rogers were determined to hold the Battalion's position however. After checking with the officers to find out if a general withdrawal was ordered, they found that no such order was given. |
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| By common accord, the three men walked up and down the road openly exposing themselves to possible small arms fire doing everything they could to convince the men by pleading and arguing to return. However, the general morale had abed to such a degree that more talking could not convince the men. The three returned alone. Sgt Butler then aided Sgt. Eskenazi setting up a bazooka position, all the while they were doing this an enemy sniper was firing into their small group. |
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| Later a few of the line company men began drifting back inspired by these courageous actions and gradually the rest of the battalion followed suit, thus enabling the battalion to once more have effective resistance. This prevented the entire area from falling into enemy hands at a time when delaying the enemy was imperative. Sgt. Butler helped pin down enemy infantrymen 200 yards in front of him who tried to break through. For three days, he effectively used the machine gun protecting the left flank and by his alertness aided greatly in holding the enemy off. Sgt. Butler's high courage and excellent ability was consistent through this action and the many others that followed. Sgt. Butler was not injured. |
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| WESLEY D. GRIFFIN, Capt. Infantry, Commanding. |
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| Sgt Harry W. BUTLER |
"HQ" Company
424th Infantry Regiment
106th Infantry Division
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Campaigns
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Battle of the Bulge,
Belgium
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