Paul B. Huff-Cleveland, TN
Posted by: 
Don.Morfe
N 35° 08.784 W 084° 53.214
16S E 692494 N 3891322
World War II Medal of Honor Recipient for action near Csarano, Italy on February 8, 1944. He is buried in Hillcrest Memorial Gardens, Cleveland, TN in the Granview Section, Lot 250, Space 1.
Waymark Code: WMX16M
Location: Tennessee, United States
Date Posted: 11/11/2017
Views: 2
He was born on June 23, 1918 in Cleveland, TN and died on September 21, 1994 in Cleveland TN. He attained the rank of Command Sergeant Major. His Medal of Honor information and citation is: HUFF, PAUL B.
• Rank and organization: Corporal, U.S. Army, 509th Parachute Infantry Battalion
• Place and date: Near Carano, Italy, 8 February 1944
• Entered service at: Cleveland, Tenn.
• G.O. No.: 41, 26 May 1944
Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life above and beyond the call of duty, in action on 8 February 1944, near Carano, Italy. Cpl. Huff volunteered to lead a 6-man patrol with the mission of determining the location and strength of an enemy unit which was delivering fire on the exposed right flank of his company. The terrain over which he had to travel consisted of exposed, rolling ground, affording the enemy excellent visibility. As the patrol advanced, its members were subjected to small arms and machinegun fire and a concentration of mortar fire, shells bursting within 5 to 10 yards of them and bullets striking the ground at their feet. Moving ahead of his patrol, Cpl. Huff drew fire from 3 enemy machineguns and a 20mm. weapon. Realizing the danger confronting his patrol, he advanced alone under deadly fire through a minefield and arrived at a point within 75 yards of the nearest machinegun position. Under direct fire from the rear machinegun, he crawled the remaining 75 yards to the closest emplacement, killed the crew with his submachine gun and destroyed the gun. During this act he fired from a kneeling position which drew fire from other positions, enabling him to estimate correctly the strength and location of the enemy. Still under concentrated fire, he returned to his patrol and led his men to safety. As a result of the information he gained, a patrol in strength sent out that afternoon, 1 group under the leadership of Cpl. Huff, succeeded in routing an enemy company of 125 men, killing 27 Germans and capturing 21 others, with a loss of only 3 patrol members. Cpl. Huff's intrepid leadership and daring combat skill reflect the finest traditions of the American infantryman.
Armed Service: Army
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