

Rank and organization: Private
First Class, U.S.
Army, Company B, 517th Parachute Infantry Regiment. Place
and date: Near
Soy,
Belgium,
23‑24 December 1944. Entered service at:
Anderson,
Ind. Birth: 28 November 1923,
Daleville,
Ind. G.O.
No.: 95, 30 October 1945. Citation: 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.