FReeper Canteen ~ Hall of Heroes: Herschel F. Briles ~ February 20, 2012

Serving The Best Troops In The World !! | StarCMC

[Kathy in Alaska]

Our Troops Rock!  Thank you for all you do!

For the freedom you enjoyed yesterday... Thank the Veterans who served in The United States Armed Forces.

Looking forward to tomorrow's freedom? Support The United States Armed Forces Today!

~ Hall of Heroes ~

Herschel F. Briles

Story from this website.

           

Herschel F. Briles (February 7, 1914 – July 17, 1994) was a United States Army soldier and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in World War II.

Briles joined the Army from Fort Des Moines, Iowa, and by November 20, 1944 was serving as a Staff Sergeant in Company C, 899th Tank Destroyer Battalion. On that day, near Scherpenseel, Germany, he left cover to rescue the wounded crew of a burning tank destroyer and extinguish the vehicle's flames. The next day, he single-handedly forced the surrender of fifty-five German soldiers and again left cover to reach a burning tank destroyer, rescue its crew, and put out the flames. For these actions, he was awarded the Medal of Honor ten months later, on September 10, 1945.

Briles reached the rank of first sergeant before leaving the Army.

He died at age 80 and was buried in Waveland Cemetery, Prairie City, Iowa.

Briles' official Medal of Honor citation reads:

    He was leading a platoon of destroyers across an exposed slope near Scherpenseel, Germany, on 20 November 1944, when they came under heavy enemy artillery fire. A direct hit was scored on 1 of the vehicles, killing 1 man, seriously wounding 2 others, and setting the destroyer afire. With a comrade, S/Sgt. Briles left the cover of his own armor and raced across ground raked by artillery and small-arms fire to the rescue of the men in the shattered destroyer. Without hesitation, he lowered himself into the burning turret, removed the wounded and then extinguished the fire. From a position he assumed the next morning, he observed hostile infantrymen advancing. With his machinegun, he poured such deadly fire into the enemy ranks that an entire pocket of 55 Germans surrendered, clearing the way for a junction between American units which had been held up for 2 days. Later that day, when another of his destroyers was hit by a concealed enemy tank, he again left protection to give assistance. With the help of another soldier, he evacuated two wounded under heavy fire and, returning to the burning vehicle, braved death from exploding ammunition to put out the flames. By his heroic initiative and complete disregard for personal safety, S/Sgt. Briles was largely responsible for causing heavy enemy casualties, forcing the surrender of 55 Germans, making possible the salvage of our vehicles, and saving the lives of wounded comrades.

Thank you sir, for your service and sacrifice for our country!

Please remember the Canteen is here to honor, support and entertain our troops and their families.  This is a politics-free zone!  Thanks for helping us in our mission!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Last Post

RIP

Sr Airman Ryan Tomlin, RAF
2 Squadron, Royal Air Force Regiment,
No. 3 RAF Force Protection Wing

Flowers of the Forest – click

[AZamericonnie]

And why didn’t you come as well????

Do you have to stay behind to take care of the pets?

G-Pa needs Nate time tooooo! ;-}

[ErnBatavia]

Be well, Conor!

[AZamericonnie]

Rest In Peace our Heroes

Il Silenzio

Let Them In St. Peter

[ConorMacNessa]

Thanks very much, Ern! How have things been going with you?



Nos genuflectitur ad non princeps sed Princeps Pacem!

Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 KJV)

[ConorMacNessa]

Good evening, Connie!

*HUGS*

How are you doing tonight? We were expecting the dreaded Winter Mix this evening, but apparently the storm has tracked to our South. We're in the 30's and cloudy, but no precip.



Nos genuflectitur ad non princeps sed Princeps Pacem!

Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 KJV)

[AZamericonnie]

Rest In Peace our Heroes

Il Silenzio

Let Them In St. Peter

[Kathy in Alaska]

A most worthy member...twice he went into fire to make rescues. Going into fire is such a frightening thing, and to do it twice....yes, First Sgt Briles is most worthy!!

[AZamericonnie]

Oh! Sorry for the double post. Set if up & walked away & thought I had not already posted!:)

Did my bi monthly shopping trip today. Finishing coupons & list. Saved $136 today.

Shocked every week at the price increases!

So, do I dare tell you we are slated for the 80's late this week?

Tis ok...you can make fun of me mid summer when it's 115!!!

[Kathy in Alaska]

TAPS

RIP

Pfc Cesar Cortez, USA
5th Battalion, 52nd Air Defense Artillery Regiment,
11th Air Defense Artillery Brigade,
32nd Army Air and Missile Defense Command

Amazing Grace

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, ML...((HUGS))...OFF today???

My goodness...did you figure out something to fill up your “free” time? Did you and Linda play?

[ConorMacNessa]

"Going into fire is such a frightening thing"

A frightening thing indeed - but a thing our troops do without hesitation. God Bless our men and women of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard! They are exemplars of courage and gallantry to the Nation - even those who don't get any medals. Heroes all!



Nos genuflectitur ad non princeps sed Princeps Pacem!

Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 KJV)

[ConorMacNessa]

That's okay, Connie - looked so nice you posted it twice!



Nos genuflectitur ad non princeps sed Princeps Pacem!

Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 KJV)

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Mayor, and thanks for today’s sustenance for body and soul.

Hope you had a relaxing weekend and are ready for Monday. ((HUGS))

[ConorMacNessa]

Good evening, ML!

*HUGS*

Great to see you this evening!



Nos genuflectitur ad non princeps sed Princeps Pacem!

Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 KJV)

[ConorMacNessa]

SUPPORT OUR TROOPS!

Tattoo

Must retire – an early call notwithstanding the Holiday - the bugler already mounts the parapet. Will chat with you all on the morrow.

Good night, God bless you, and God bless the United States of America!

Godspeed our Troops around the Globe – especially those in harm’s way – by virtue of their service and sacrifice we continue to live in Freedom!

Nos genuflectitur ad non princeps sed Princeps pacem!

Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 KJV)

[Kathy in Alaska]

God Bless you good, Mac. Good night and rest well. Thanks for helping honor our troops, past and present. Thank you for your service to our country.

[Kathy in Alaska]

TAPS

RIP

Cpl Osbrany Montes De Oca, USMC
2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment,
2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force

Eternal Father Strong To Save - click

[Kathy in Alaska]

I don’t know.

This is where the grave marker came from:

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=7073072

Burial: Waveland Cemetery, Prairie City, Jasper County Iowa, USA.

And the background/story link is at the top of the thread.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herschel_F._Briles

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Luv. ((HUGS)) Did you get a nap today? Any rain?