- SURNAME
Biddle
- FORENAME
Melvin Earl
- UNIT
517 Parachute Infantry Regiment (Company B)
- RANK
Private First Class
- NUMBER
35584196
- AWARD
Medal of Honor, Bronze Star
- PLACE
Belgium 1944
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
from Anderson, Indiana
born 28.11.1923 Daleville, Indiana, USA
father Owen Johnson Biddle (1889-1974)
mother Blanche Olive (nee Bowen) Biddle (1887-1959)
4 years high school
civil occupation semiskilled occupations in manufacture of electrical machinery and accessories
employed by Delco Remy Div Gen Motors Plant
single without dependents upon enlistment
30.06.1942 draft card Indiana
entered service 26.01.1943 Anderson, Indiana
WIA December 1943 Belgium
promoted Corporal 1945
wife Leona Else (nee Allen) Biddle (1923-2014)
died 17.12.2010 (Aged 87) Anderson, Indiana, USA
Anderson Memorial Park, Anderson, Indiana, USA. Plot 3/467/G
CITATION:
Medal of Honor : The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Private First Class Melvin Earl Biddle, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy near Soy, Belgium, on 23 and 24 December 1944, while serving with Company B, 1st Battalion, 517th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 13th Airborne Division. Serving as lead scout during an attack to relieve the enemy-encircled town of Hotton, Private First Class Biddle 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 three snipers with unerring marksmanship. Courageously continuing his advance an additional 200 yards, he discovered a hostile machinegun position and dispatched its two occupants. He then located the approximate position of a well-concealed enemy machinegun 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 three more enemy soldiers. Undaunted by enemy fire, he crawled within 20 yards of a machinegun 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 two 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 machinegun position and from a distance of 50 yards killed the crew and two supporting riflemen. The remainder of the enemy, finding themselves without automatic weapon support, fled panic stricken. Private First Class 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.
WEB LINKS:
• https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/2339FINDAGRAVE:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/63017250/melvin-earl-biddle
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