Gordon E. Huggins

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Gordon E. Huggins, Private, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company K, 104th Infantry Regiment, 26th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 7 February 1944, in the vicinity of Saarlautern, Germany. On that date, Private Huggins and four companions were engaged in clearing ammunition and explosive from the cellar from a newly taken building which was to be used as a command post. He picked up a grenade with a defective fuse mechanism, fully arming it. There were two windows in the cellar, and realizing that the explosion would probably kill his companions he acted with split-second decision. Shouting a warning to his comrades he ran to a corner, turned his back to the men and held the grenade between his legs until it exploded, hurling him to the floor. His hand was severed and he suffered severe fragment wounds, but by his extraordinary courage he prevented injury to his companions. Private Huggins’ 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 26th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.