David C. Waybur-Saint Avold, Lorraine, France
Posted by: 
Don.Morfe
N 49° 07.248 E 006° 43.116
32U E 333542 N 5443390
World War II Medal of Honor Recipient for action near Agrigento, Sicily on July 17, 1943. He was killed in action. He is buried in Lorraine American Cemetery, Saint-Avold, Departement de la Moselle, Lorraine, France in Section E, Row 22, Site 44.
Waymark Code: WMXCBN
Location: Grand-Est, France
Date Posted: 12/26/2017
Views: 2
He was born on September 19, 1919 in Piedmont, CA and died on March 28, 1945 in France. His Medal of Honor information and citation is: WAYBUR, DAVID C.
• Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, U.S. Army, 3d Reconnaissance Troop, 3d Infantry Division
• Place and date: Near Agrigento, Sicily, 17 July 1943
• Entered service at: Piedmont, Calif.
• G.O. No.: 69, 21 October 1943
Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty in action involving actual conflict with the enemy. Commander of a reconnaissance platoon, 1st Lt. Waybur volunteered to lead a 3-vehicle patrol into enemy-held territory to locate an isolated Ranger unit. Proceeding under cover of darkness, over roads known to be heavily mined, and strongly defended by road blocks and machinegun positions, the patrol's progress was halted at a bridge which had been destroyed by enemy troops and was suddenly cut off from its supporting vehicles by 4 enemy tanks. Although hopelessly outnumbered and out-gunned, and himself and his men completely exposed, he quickly dispersed his vehicles and ordered his gunners to open fire with their .30 and .50 caliber machineguns. Then, with ammunition exhausted, 3 of his men hit and himself seriously wounded, he seized his .45 caliber Thompson submachinegun and standing in the bright moonlight directly in the line of fire, alone engaged the leading tank at 30 yards and succeeded in killing the crewmembers, causing the tank to run onto the bridge and crash into the stream bed. After dispatching 1 of the men for aid he rallied the rest to cover and withstood the continued fire of the tanks till the arrival of aid the following morning.
Armed Service: Army
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