On This Day






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Technician John J. Pinder, Jr.
United States Army




The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor (Posthumously) to Technician Fifth Grade John J. Pinder, Jr., United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty on 6 June 1944, while serving with 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, in action near Colleville-sur-Mer, France.

On D-day, Technician Fifth Grade Pinder landed on the coast 100 yards off shore under devastating enemy machinegun and artillery fire which caused severe casualties among the boatload.

Carrying a vitally important radio, he struggled towards shore in waist-deep water. Only a few yards from his craft he was hit by enemy fire and was gravely wounded. Technician 5th Grade Pinder never stopped. He made shore and delivered the radio.

Refusing to take cover afforded, or to accept medical attention for his wounds, Technician 5th Grade Pinder, though terribly weakened by loss of blood and in fierce pain, on three occasions went into the fire-swept surf to salvage communication equipment. He recovered many vital parts and equipment, including another workable radio.

On the third trip he was again hit, suffering machinegun bullet wounds in the legs. Still this valiant soldier would not stop for rest or medical attention. Remaining exposed to heavy enemy fire, growing steadily weaker, he aided in establishing the vital radio communication on the beach. While so engaged this dauntless soldier was hit for the third time and killed.

The indomitable courage and personal bravery of Technician 5th Grade Pinder was a magnificent inspiration to the men with whom he served.

General Orders: War Department, General Orders No. 1 (January 4, 1945) - Action Date: June 6, 1944



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Private Carlton William Barrett
United States Army




The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Private Carlton William Barrett, United States Army, for gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty on 6 June 1944, while serving with the 18th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, in action in the vicinity of St. Laurent-sur-Mer, France.

On the morning of D-day Private Barrett, landing in the face of extremely heavy enemy fire, was forced to wade ashore through neck-deep water.

Disregarding the personal danger, he returned to the surf again and again to assist his floundering comrades and save them from drowning. Refusing to remain pinned down by the intense barrage of small-arms and mortar fire poured at the landing points, Private Barrett, working with fierce determination, saved many lives by carrying casualties to an evacuation boat lying offshore.

In addition to his assigned mission as guide, he carried dispatches the length of the fire-swept beach; he assisted the wounded; he calmed the shocked; he arose as a leader in the stress of the occasion. His coolness and his dauntless daring courage while constantly risking his life during a period of many hours had an inestimable effect on his comrades and is in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Army.

General Orders: War Department, General Orders No. 78, October 2, 1944 - Action Date: 6-Jun-44



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LTJG Phil Hinkle Bucklew
United States Navy




The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Phil Hinkle Bucklew (NSN: 0-244104), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Officer in Charge of an LCT Scout Boat during the amphibious assault on the Normandy Coast of France on 6 June 1944.

Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Bucklew embarked in one of the first craft to approach the strongly defended Normandy coast and succeeded in the highly important mission of locating the beaches to be assaulted.

Despite heavy surf and harassing enemy fire he led the first wave of DD tanks to the beach and there took up his station near the beach to act as a guide. While the tanks were landing, he fired rockets over them to target objectives on the beach. After all rockets were expended he moved in closer to the beach and fired his twin fifty-caliber machine guns at suspected enemy machine gun nests in houses along the beach.

In addition to his assigned duties, without regard for his own personal safety and under heavy enemy fire he rescued wounded personnel from the water near their burning landing craft and carried them to safety. He continued throughout the morning and afternoon of D-Day working near the beach, regulating the flow of traffic and rescuing wounded personnel. The outstanding devotion to duty and courage under fire displayed by Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Bucklew were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

General Orders: Commander Naval Forces Europe: Serial 7760 (September 9, 1944) - Action Date: June 6, 1944

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