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Rank
and organization: Captain (then Lieutenant), U.S.
Army, 3d Infantry Division. Place and date: North of
Mignano, Italy, 10 November 1943. Entered service at:
Lonoke, Ark. Born: 29 June 1919, Carlisle, Ark. G.O.
No.: 23, 24 March 1944.
Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of
his life above and beyond the call of duty. Disdaining enemy
hand grenades and close-range machine pistol, machinegun, and
rifle, Lt. Britt inspired and led a handful of his men in
repelling a bitter counterattack by approximately 100 Germans
against his company positions north of Mignano, Italy, the
morning of 10 November 1943. During the intense fire fight, Lt.
Britt's canteen and field glasses were shattered; a bullet
pierced his side; his chest, face, and hands were covered with
grenade wounds. Despite his wounds, for which he refused to
accept medical attention until ordered to do so by his battalion
commander following the battle, he personally killed 5 and
wounded an unknown number of Germans, wiped out one enemy
machinegun crew, fired 5 clips of carbine and an undetermined
amount of Ml rifle ammunition, and threw 32 fragmentation
grenades. His bold, aggressive actions, utterly disregarding
superior enemy numbers, resulted in capture of 4 Germans, 2 of
them wounded, and enabled several captured Americans to escape.
Lt. Britt's undaunted courage and prowess in arms were largely
responsible for repulsing a German counterattack which, if
successful, would have isolated his battalion and destroyed his
company.
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The
President of the United States