Clifford P. Hinkel

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Clifford P. Hinkel (36709357), Sergeant (then Private), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with 415th Infantry Regiment, 104th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 26 October 1944. On that date, the battalion in which Sergeant Hinkel was a machine gunner was subjected to an enemy counterattack which had encompassed the left flank of their position. The enemy had brought forward machine guns and, with intense fire, pinned Sergeant Hinkel and his fellow soldiers to the ground. Entirely on his own initiative Sergeant Hinkel seized his own heavy machine gun and, without fear or hesitation dragged it forward more than one hundred yards through intense enemy machine gun and sniper fire. Completely disregarding his own personal safety, he set up his weapon within plain view of the enemy and opened fire. For more than thirty minutes he poured fire into the enemy position, causing many casualties and neutralizing the enemy fire in that sector. Through the valiant, voluntary act of Sergeant Hinkel, a grave threat to his battalion was averted. Sergeant Hinkel’s intrepid actions, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 104th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.