On This Days 1943: Britt Was a Recipient of Medal of Honor For His Action in Italy.

 On This Days 1943: Britt Was a Recipient of Medal of Honor For His Action in Italy.


Maurice “Footsie” Britt was a recipient of the Medal of Honor for his actions in Italy on this day in 1943.

Capt. Britt was born in Arkansas and briefly played football for the Detroit Lions before joining the U.S. Army.  

He served with distinction in North Africa and Italy before being wounded and discharged in January, 1944. 

He was the first American infantryman to receive all four major decorations for valor—The Bronze Star, the Silver Star, the Distinguished Service Cross, and the Medal of Honor. He also received four Purple Hearts.

His Medal of Honor citation reads: 

“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 M1 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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