David C. Waybur
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| David C. Waybur | |
|---|---|
| Died March 28, 1945 | |
 David C. Waybur, Medal of Honor recipient |
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| Place of birth | Oakland, California |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/branch | United States Army |
| Rank | First Lieutenant |
| Unit | 3rd Infantry Division |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards | Medal of Honor Silver Star Purple Heart |
David C. Waybur (died March 28, 1945) was a United States Army officer and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in World War II.
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[edit] Biography
Waybur joined the Army from Piedmont, California, and by July 17, 1943 was serving as a first lieutenant in the 3rd Reconnaissance Troop, 3rd Infantry Division. While leading a reconnaissance patrol on that day, near Agrigento, Sicily, his group was cut off and attacked by four tanks. Although seriously wounded, Waybur single-handedly destroyed one tank and continued to lead his men until help arrived the next morning. Three months later, on October 21, 1943, he was issued the Medal of Honor for his actions during the battle.
Waybur died two years after earning the Medal of Honor. He was buried at the Lorraine American Cemetery and Memorial in Saint-Avold, France.
[edit] Medal of Honor citation
First Lieutenant Waybur's official Medal of Honor citation reads:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty in action involving actual conflict with the enemy. Commander of a reconnaissance platoon, 1st Lt. Waybur volunteered to lead a 3-vehicle patrol into enemy-held territory to locate an isolated Ranger unit. Proceeding under cover of darkness, over roads known to be heavily mined, and strongly defended by road blocks and machinegun positions, the patrol's progress was halted at a bridge which had been destroyed by enemy troops and was suddenly cut off from its supporting vehicles by 4 enemy tanks. Although hopelessly outnumbered and out-gunned, and himself and his men completely exposed, he quickly dispersed his vehicles and ordered his gunners to open fire with their .30 and .50 caliber machineguns. Then, with ammunition exhausted, 3 of his men hit and himself seriously wounded, he seized his .45 caliber Thompson submachinegun and standing in the bright moonlight directly in the line of fire, alone engaged the leading tank at 30 yards and succeeded in killing the crewmembers, causing the tank to run onto the bridge and crash into the stream bed. After dispatching 1 of the men for aid he rallied the rest to cover and withstood the continued fire of the tanks till the arrival of aid the following morning.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- David C. Waybur at Find A Grave Retrieved on 2008-01-24
- Medal of Honor Recipients - World War II (T-Z). Medal of Honor Citations. U.S. Army Center of Military History (July 16, 2007). Retrieved on 2007-10-22.
