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Mabry, George Lafayette, Jr.

Date of birth:
September 14th, 1917 (Stateburg/South Carolina, United States)
Date of death:
July 13th, 1990 (United States)
Nationality:
American (1776 - present, Republic)

Biography

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Captain
Unit:
2nd Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division "Ivy Division", U.S. Army
Awarded on:
1944
"For extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy on 6 June 1944, in France."

Geadquarters, First U.S. Army, General Orders No. 32
Distinguished Service Cross (DSC)

Headquarters, 4th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 43
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Lieutenant Colonel
Unit:
2nd Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division "Ivy Division", U.S. Army
Awarded on:
September 1st, 1945
"He was commanding the 2d Battalion, 8th Infantry, in an attack through the Hurtgen Forest near Schevenhutte, Germany, on 20 November 1944. During the early phases of the assault, the leading elements of his battalion were halted by a minefield and immobilized by heavy hostile fire. Advancing alone into the mined area, Col. Mabry established a safe route of passage. He then moved ahead of the foremost scouts, personally leading the attack, until confronted by a boobytrapped double concertina obstacle. With the assistance of the scouts, he disconnected the explosives and cut a path through the wire. Upon moving through the opening, he observed 3 enemy in foxholes whom he captured at bayonet point. Driving steadily forward he paced the assault against 3 log bunkers which housed mutually supported automatic weapons. Racing up a slope ahead of his men, he found the initial bunker deserted, then pushed on to the second where he was suddenly confronted by 9 onrushing enemy. Using the butt of his rifle, he felled 1 adversary and bayoneted a second, before his scouts came to his aid and assisted him in overcoming the others in hand-to-hand combat. Accompanied by the riflemen, he charged the third bunker under pointblank small arms fire and led the way into the fortification from which he prodded 6 enemy at bayonet point. Following the consolidation of this area, he led his battalion across 300 yards of fire-swept terrain to seize elevated ground upon which he established a defensive position which menaced the enemy on both flanks, and provided his regiment a firm foothold on the approach to the Cologne Plain. Col. Mabry's superlative courage, daring, and leadership in an operation of major importance exemplify the finest characteristics of the military service."
Medal of Honor - Army (MoH)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)

w/ "V" device
Purple Heart
Period:
Vietnam War (1955-1975)
Rank:
Brigadier General
Awarded on:
August 27th, 1965
"For exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States from July 1962 to July 1965"

Department of the Army, General Orders No. 29
Legion of Merit - US Military
Period:
Vietnam War (1955-1975)

w/ palm
Anh Dung Boi Tinh
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)

w/ Arrowhead Device and three ​3⁄16" Bronze Stars
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal

w/ ​3⁄16" Bronze Star
National Defense Service Medal (NDSM)
Period:
Vietnam War (1955-1975)

w/ ​3⁄16" Silver Star and ​3⁄16" Bronze Star
Vietnam Service Medal (VSM)

Sources

  • Photo: Home of Heroes
  • - Jordan, Kenneth N., Yesterday’s Heroes – 433 men of World War II awarded the Medal of Honor 1941-1945, Schiffer Publishing Ltd., USA, 1996
    - Yeide, H., The Longest Battle – September 1944 to February 1945 - From Aachen to the Roer and Across, Zenith Press, St. Paul, USA, 2005
    - 29th Field Artillery - Regimental Home Pages
    - Valor Awards

Photo