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Co. A, 508th
Prcht Inf.
APO 469 U.S. Army
28 March 1945
C E
R T I F I C A T
E
In the attack on la
Poterie ridge and hill 95, 4 July 1944, I was assistant platoon
leader of the first Platoon, Col. "A", 508th Prcht. Inf.
Moving into position we moved to the attack just after noon, in the
face of devastating rifle, automatic weapons, mortar fire and direct
artillery fire.
I witnessed Capt.
Axelrod with four volunteers to carry the stretchers, move forward
and administer aid and give plasma under fire to Lt, Jones of "B"
Co., who had been shot through the neck by a machine gun.
After placing Lt. Jones on the stretcher, Capt. Axelrod walked on
the side that the enemy was firing from to prevent any fire from
hitting Lt. Jones.
On moving out,
Capt. Axelrod herd that there was other wounded lying directly in
front of the enemy gun positions. After making sure that Lt. Jones
was all right, he placed him in a covered position, and asking
someone to show him where the wounded were, he proceeded through the
hedgerows and across the fields, to render aid and carry the wounded
men to safety. During the numerous trips, Capt. Axelrod
was constantly fired upon, though his red-cross arm band was in
plain view.
I personally saw
two of Capt. Axelrod's assistants hit by enemy fire that was placed
on them.
After rendering
medical aid and seeing that the men were evacuated, Capt. Axelrod
started to the rear again with Lt. Jones. They had covered
only a short distance when enemy artillery began to fall around
them. Setting the stretcher down, Capt. Axelrod ordered those
assisting him in carrying the stretcher to take cover, while he
covered Lt. Jones with his own body to prevent him from being hit by
shrapnel.
After personally
supervising and helping carry the injured to the rear,
returned to our front line and continued his work. Though
there was one wounded man it was impossible to get to, as the enemy
had killed one and wounded other aid men who attempted to reach him,
Capt. Axelrod made several attempts, and finally just as it got dark
succeeded in evacuating him.
There were several
shrapnel cuts and bullet holes in Capt. Axelrod's clothes, received
during the action that day.
It is impossible
for me to describe fully the magnificent courage displayed by Capt.
Axelrod, or the confidence imparted to all men and officers, who saw
him time after time, bandage and carry to the rear, those who were
wounded.
/s/ Rex G. Combs
REX G. COMBS
1st Lt Infantry |
