FReeper Canteen ~ Hall of Heroes: Melvin E Biddle ~ 04 April 2016

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[Kathy in Alaska]

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~ Hall of Heroes ~

Melvin E. Biddle

Info from here and here.

           

Melvin Earl "Bud" Biddle (November 28, 1923 – December 16, 2010) 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.

Biddle was born on November 28, 1923, in Daleville, Indiana, to Owen J. and Blanche Olive (Bowen) Biddle. He had two brothers, Ralph and Lee, and three sisters, Marie, Carolyn, and Eileen. A life-long resident of the area, Biddle attended elementary school in Daleville and graduated from Anderson High School in nearby Anderson, Indiana. He worked for Delco Remy in Anderson until being drafted into the U.S. Army.

By December 23, 1944, Biddle was serving in Europe as a private first class in Company B of the 1st Battalion, 517th Parachute Infantry Regiment.

The orders from Melvin E. Biddle's Army commander came quickly. The officer pointed at then-Pfc. Biddle and barked, "You! Out front!"

It was late December 1944 and a ragtag company of American cooks and clerks were stranded in Hotton, Belgium, about four miles from Mr. Biddle's unit near Soy.

The Battle of the Bulge had just begun, and the troops in Hotton were surrounded and outnumbered by German forces. They needed to be rescued. Leading the stealthy advance through the snowy forests was Mr. Biddle, who took over when his unit's two lead scouts were injured in a land-mine blast.

A week later, he was wounded in the neck by shrapnel which just missed his jugular vein. After recovering in England for several weeks, he headed back to his unit and on the way learned through an article in Stars and Stripes that he would be awarded the Medal of Honor.

For his actions during the battle near Soy, Biddle was awarded the Medal of Honor at the White House on October 30, 1945, by President Harry Truman. When presenting the medal to Biddle, Truman whispered "People don't believe me when I tell them that I'd rather have one of these than be President."

Biddle was later promoted to corporal. In addition to the Medal of Honor, he also received the Bronze Star and Purple Heart.

On December 1, 1946, Biddle married his childhood sweetheart, Leona Elsie Allen. The couple had two daughters, Elissa and Marsha.

After leaving the military, Biddle returned to Indiana and worked for the Department of Veterans Affairs. He helped distribute loans and benefits to veterans for 26 years until his retirement. He also served on the Anderson City Council.

Biddle rarely spoke of his Medal of Honor action. He gave occasional interviews and appeared at events honoring veterans but preferred to lead a more private life. He was an avid golfer and a member of the local Veterans of Foreign Wars post.

Biddle died of congestive heart failure on December 16, 2010, at Saint John's Medical Center in Anderson following a sudden illness.

Aged 87 at his death, he was buried in Anderson's Memorial Park Cemetery on December 20. In deference to his family's beliefs as Jehovah's Witnesses, Biddle requested that his funeral be free of military observances. His death date was the 66th anniversary of the start of the Battle of the Bulge, in which he earned the Medal of Honor, and he was Indiana's last surviving Medal of Honor recipient from World War II.

Biddle's official Medal of Honor citation reads:

He displayed conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy near Soy, Belgium, on 23 and 24 December 1944. Serving as lead scout during an attack to relieve the enemy-encircled town of Hotton, he aggressively penetrated a densely wooded area, advanced 400 yards until he came within range of intense enemy rifle fire, and within 20 yards of enemy positions killed 3 snipers with unerring marksmanship. Courageously continuing his advance an additional 200 yards, he discovered a hostile machine-gun position and dispatched its 2 occupants. He then located the approximate position of a well-concealed enemy machine-gun nest, and crawling forward threw hand grenades which killed two Germans and fatally wounded a third. After signaling his company to advance, he entered a determined line of enemy defense, coolly and deliberately shifted his position, and shot 3 more enemy soldiers. Undaunted by enemy fire, he crawled within 20 yards of a machine-gun nest, tossed his last hand grenade into the position, and after the explosion charged the emplacement firing his rifle. When night fell, he scouted enemy positions alone for several hours and returned with valuable information which enabled our attacking infantry and armor to knock out 2 enemy tanks. At daybreak he again led the advance and, when flanking elements were pinned down by enemy fire, without hesitation made his way toward a hostile machine-gun position and from a distance of 50 yards killed the crew and 2 supporting riflemen. The remainder of the enemy, finding themselves without automatic weapon support, fled panic stricken. Pfc. Biddle's intrepid courage and superb daring during his 20-hour action enabled his battalion to break the enemy grasp on Hotton with a minimum of casualties.

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! 

 

[beachn4fun]

Good morning, Canteen.

Good morning to our

Military, our Allies, and their families.

Can't hang around long; once pup is down
for a time out and quiet, I need to get chores done.

But please stay right where you are.
Chat up the military or a family member.
No need to fret...you know I'll be back!

The FR Canteen is

Come in and sit for a while.
There's always plenty of coffee, tea,
pancakes, conversation, silliness,
and plain old BS

REMEMBER THEM ~ DEFENDERS OF FREEDOM

FR CANTEEN MISSION STATEMENT

Showing support and boosting the morale of our military and our allied military and the family members of the above. Honoring those who have served before.

[mountainlion]

It could snow again in a week. Still got plenty of wood.

[SandRat]

[PROCON]

INBEFOREBEACHY!

Morning Beachie!

Just lovely, warm weather on my end, I even had to turn my A/C on for a bit, Spring is finally here!

I'm heading out today to do some clothes shopping and pick-up a few groceries, nothing else happening here.

I the puppy making progress?

You finding any writing time?

Have a great day, Beachie!

[PROCON]

Happy Anniversary, LUV!

Hope you and Hubby have a Wonderful, Loving Day!

[E.G.C.]

((HUGS))Good morning, Beach. Enjoy your Monday.

[SandRat]

I know, You Liberated it,, .

[BykrBayb]

I heard a rumor today is your anniversary. Don't worry, I can keep a secret as well as anyone else around here. I'm toasting your joy (with my coffee and toast). Have a blessed week, and call in sick Thursday. Nobody will tattle. ;)

[beachn4fun]

Good morning SR ((HUGS))

[SkyDancer]

My anniversary here is April 16 :)

[beachn4fun]

I see you keep secrets like procon

;)

Good morning BB ((HUGS))

[beachn4fun]

Good morning Pro ((HUGS))

We’ve had a return of cold temps here. Very windy too. One minute I’m putting on warm clothes, the next, summer clothes. UGH! Back to warmer clothes this week.

Pup is making progress; sometimes I think not fast enough, though ;)
Keeping her out of trouble is taking up a lot of my time as I don’t want her confined to the kennel too much. And, my list of home projects just got bigger: our HOA have started their property inspections and we have a few things that need attention. So, writing has taken a back seat...again! I’ll get back to it when some of the projects go away.

Hope you find every thing you need while shopping. And, treat yourself to lunch while out.

Happy Monday.

[beachn4fun]

Good morning EG ((HUGS))

All is well and cold and busy out my way.

Howz it out your way?

[BykrBayb]

G’mornin. And I thought I was being so original. That’s okay. If I have to copy somebody, who better than PROCON? ; )

[SandRat]

Good morning to you.

[txradioguy]

Yeah I help out where I can in the Public Affaris end of the job ...as you know we’re very busy over here in Europe right now.

I’m in more of a supervisory role just making sure the soldiers I out rank get their projects done and turned in on time.

[luvie]

Thanks, y'all, for the good wishes!
Some of you are louder than others. LOL!
It's all good!
We're having a quiet one.
...because we're very boring people! LOL!
All y'all have a Mahv'lus Monday!
And a GREAT week!
((((hugs))))

[E.G.C.]

Going OK. Just got back from the barber shop. Got an AWESOME haircut from Brittany.

[luvie]

Yer durned tootin’ I did! Cute! :)

[ConorMacNessa]

Good Morning To Our Valiant Troops, To Our Vets, To Our Families, Our FRiends, Our Allies And To All Canteen Denizens!

Godspeed our Troops around the Globe, especially those in combat!


An American Soldier Patrolling At Sunrise, Dabay Province, Afghanistan

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GOOD MORNING!
Some People Wake Up, Stretch and Enjoy Freedom -
Some People Wake Up, Stretch and Defend It!

May The Lord Protect And Uphold Our Troops In Their Vital Mission!

May He Keep Safe Their Families During Their Time Of Separation!

May He Preserve And Uphold Our Beloved Nation In This Time Of Adversity!