10/08/2025
https://www.facebook.com/share/16nmnNHsuu/?mibextid=wwXIfr
On this day, 81 years ago, Bobbie E. Brown, aged 41, led Company C, 18th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division in an assault on Crucifix Hill near Aachen, Germany, on October 8, 1944.
Brown's company was pinned down by intense German machine gun, mortar, and artillery fire as they advanced through the graveyard at the base of the hill, facing a network of heavily fortified pillboxes.
Recognizing the urgent need to destroy the enemy strongpoints to save his men, Brown crawled through a hail of bullets and shells, carrying a pole charge toward the first pillbox, where he rammed the explosive into the aperture and blew up the position and its occupants.
He immediately returned, secured another pole charge, and led the way toward a second pillbox, braving continuous enemy fire, then destroyed it with another explosive.
Spotting a third pillbox pinning down his company, Brown retrieved a third charge, advanced under fire, and hurled it inside, silencing the German defenders.
Wounded by a mortar shell on his way back, he refused evacuation and continued to press the attack.
Brown then advanced alone beyond the objective to personally reconnoiter enemy positions on the far side of Crucifix Hill, intentionally drawing German fire to locate their gun emplacements.
He sustained two additional wounds but gathered vital intelligence that enabled his company to eliminate several enemy artillery pieces and repel two German counterattacks.
Brown's actions led directly to the capture of Crucifix Hill, helping complete the encirclement of Aachen and breaking the German defensive line.
President Harry S. Truman awarded Bobbie E. Brown the Medal of Honor on August 23, 1945, presenting it to Brown at a ceremony at the White House.
Bobbie E. Brown lived for many years after the war, retiring from the Army in 1950 after 28 years of service; he died on November 8, 1971, at age 68, in Highland Falls, New York.
He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
