M B Etheredge
Encyclopedia
M B Etheredge was awarded the Texas Legislative Medal of Honor
by the Texas Legislature
for his actions during battle in World War II
. House Concurrent Resolution No. 27 conferring the honor was adopted by both the House & Senate in May 2003 and approved by Governor Rick Perry in June 2003. Representatives Dan Ellis and Lois Kolkhorst sponsored the resolution. The below text was extracted from the resolution.
On the night of March 12 13, 1944, Col. Etheredge was assistant commander of a combat patrol when it came under heavy machine gun fire north of Carano, Italy; disregarding the bullets flying all about him, he personally led his squad in a successful assault on the machine gun; when a second machine gun erupted, he again braved the barrage as he directed his men in laying down fire, allowing the main part of the patrol to advance against the gun and silence it.
Farther along, a third strong point opened heavy fire; once more, Col. Etheredge moved about aggressively in the midst of this attack, developing a strong firing line and enabling the main body of the patrol to skirt the house and continue on its mission; altogether, the patrol killed at least 10 Germans, captured 12, and knocked out two machine guns, and Col. Etheredge's remarkable gallantry and leadership in this operation earned for him a Silver Star
.
Two months later, on May 23, 1944, in Italy, Col. Etheredge immediately took charge of Company "K," 30th Infantry Regiment
, when the commanding officer and other key personnel were cut down; deciding to continue the attack, he ignored heavy fire to move up and down a ditch for 75 yards, reorganizing his company and bolstering its morale; though wounded in the leg, he then led his men running and crawling into the face of steady small arms fire for some 550 yards, rested them for 10 minutes, and then resumed the assault, advancing another 250 yards, overrunning the objective and organizing an all‑around defensive position.
Col. Etheredge's actions were instrumental in securing a vital battalion target, relieving pressure on two flank companies, and opening a way for a third company to advance; his critical role in this day's action was rewarded with the appendage of an oak leaf cluster to his Silver Star
.
Col. Etheredge subsequently commanded Company "K" in France; there, on August 16, 1944, he once again exposed himself to gunfire in the course of significantly assisting the American advance; he was sitting atop a tank destroyer, directing its fire at German‑held buildings 200 yards distant, when he barely escaped a machine‑gun fusillade;
a platoon flanking the building then fell into disarray and Col. Etheredge dashed across 75 yards of open ground through more machine‑gun fire to reorganize the group; choosing a route that skirted the barbed wire outside the buildings, he next led a 50‑yard assault that captured 29 enemy soldiers, an anti‑tank gun, a mortar, large quantities of ammunition, and numerous vehicles; in recognition of his bravery and decisive command, he received a second oak leaf cluster.
During the war Col. Etheredge also received two Bronze Star
s and two Purple Heart
s; he was eventually discharged with the highest efficiency rating of any officer discharged from the Fourth Army; this dauntless soldier later served three terms in the Texas Legislature
and taught for 33 years at Sam Houston State University
.
Texas Legislative Medal of Honor
The Texas Legislative Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration that may be awarded to a member of the Texas Military Forces. This includes Air National Guard, Army National Guard, and State Guard...
by the Texas Legislature
Texas Legislature
The Legislature of the state of Texas is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Texas. The legislature is a bicameral body composed of a 31-member Senate and a 150-member House of Representatives. The Legislature meets at the Capitol in Austin...
for his actions during battle in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. House Concurrent Resolution No. 27 conferring the honor was adopted by both the House & Senate in May 2003 and approved by Governor Rick Perry in June 2003. Representatives Dan Ellis and Lois Kolkhorst sponsored the resolution. The below text was extracted from the resolution.
On the night of March 12 13, 1944, Col. Etheredge was assistant commander of a combat patrol when it came under heavy machine gun fire north of Carano, Italy; disregarding the bullets flying all about him, he personally led his squad in a successful assault on the machine gun; when a second machine gun erupted, he again braved the barrage as he directed his men in laying down fire, allowing the main part of the patrol to advance against the gun and silence it.
Farther along, a third strong point opened heavy fire; once more, Col. Etheredge moved about aggressively in the midst of this attack, developing a strong firing line and enabling the main body of the patrol to skirt the house and continue on its mission; altogether, the patrol killed at least 10 Germans, captured 12, and knocked out two machine guns, and Col. Etheredge's remarkable gallantry and leadership in this operation earned for him a Silver Star
Silver Star
The Silver Star is the third-highest combat military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy....
.
Two months later, on May 23, 1944, in Italy, Col. Etheredge immediately took charge of Company "K," 30th Infantry Regiment
30th Infantry Regiment (United States)
The 30th Infantry Regiment is a United States Army infantry regiment.-Lineage:*Constituted 2 February 1901 in the Regular Army as the 30th Infantry...
, when the commanding officer and other key personnel were cut down; deciding to continue the attack, he ignored heavy fire to move up and down a ditch for 75 yards, reorganizing his company and bolstering its morale; though wounded in the leg, he then led his men running and crawling into the face of steady small arms fire for some 550 yards, rested them for 10 minutes, and then resumed the assault, advancing another 250 yards, overrunning the objective and organizing an all‑around defensive position.
Col. Etheredge's actions were instrumental in securing a vital battalion target, relieving pressure on two flank companies, and opening a way for a third company to advance; his critical role in this day's action was rewarded with the appendage of an oak leaf cluster to his Silver Star
Silver Star
The Silver Star is the third-highest combat military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy....
.
Col. Etheredge subsequently commanded Company "K" in France; there, on August 16, 1944, he once again exposed himself to gunfire in the course of significantly assisting the American advance; he was sitting atop a tank destroyer, directing its fire at German‑held buildings 200 yards distant, when he barely escaped a machine‑gun fusillade;
a platoon flanking the building then fell into disarray and Col. Etheredge dashed across 75 yards of open ground through more machine‑gun fire to reorganize the group; choosing a route that skirted the barbed wire outside the buildings, he next led a 50‑yard assault that captured 29 enemy soldiers, an anti‑tank gun, a mortar, large quantities of ammunition, and numerous vehicles; in recognition of his bravery and decisive command, he received a second oak leaf cluster.
During the war Col. Etheredge also received two Bronze Star
Bronze Star Medal
The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the...
s and two Purple Heart
Purple Heart
The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917 with the U.S. military. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located in New Windsor, New York...
s; he was eventually discharged with the highest efficiency rating of any officer discharged from the Fourth Army; this dauntless soldier later served three terms in the Texas Legislature
Texas Legislature
The Legislature of the state of Texas is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Texas. The legislature is a bicameral body composed of a 31-member Senate and a 150-member House of Representatives. The Legislature meets at the Capitol in Austin...
and taught for 33 years at Sam Houston State University
Sam Houston State University
Sam Houston State University was founded in 1879 and is the third oldest public institution of higher learning in the State of Texas. It is located in Huntsville, Texas. It is one of the oldest purpose-built institutions for the instruction of teachers west of the Mississippi River and the first...
.
External links
- House Concurrent Resolution No. 27
- 1951 photo with Capt. Audie MurphyAudie MurphyAudie Leon Murphy was a highly decorated and famous soldier. Through LIFE magazine's July 16, 1945 issue , he became one the most famous soldiers of World War II and widely regarded as the most decorated American soldier of the war...
.