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TECHNICIAN FIFTH CLASS JOHN A. CORBIN was born in West Virginia in 1908 according to his enlistment records. When he was inducted into the Army on December 18, 1943 he was married. Trained as a medic and assigned to the 319th Infantry Regiment, 80th Infantry Division. On January 7, 1945 he was wounded in action near Goesdorf, Luxembourg. After returning to the aid station, he volunteered to lead litter bearers to to a position where other wounded Americans were pinned down by enemy fire. He was awarded the Silver Star for his actions on March 13, 1945. Sadly John A. Corbin was killed in action not long afterwards. On April 15, 1945 his unit was attacking the German city of Glauchau. The fighting for the city was heavy. The Germans defending it were defending one of the last cities still in their hands with ferocity.� Technician Fifth Class Corbin and three of his comrades, Technician Fourth Class Carmine Liotti from New York, Private First Class Harry Heiberger from Pennsylvania and Private First Class John Boire from Oregon�were attending to wounded men on the battlefield and preparing them for transport to the hospital when a German nurse called upon them to help evacuate an injured German as well. Lifting the German onto his litter jeep, Liotti and the others proceeded up the main street of the town. An enemy soldier, perhaps unaware that a German lay in the vehicle, threw a grenade at the jeep, and shrapnel inflicted the men with mortal wounds. Liotti and Corbin died in the attack, Heiberger and John Boire were wounded and died the next day. Two German nurses also died in the attack. Heiberger and Boire were awarded the silver star for their efforts on the 15th. These men had fought across Europe, and though they had to know the war was almost over they risked their lives to assist enemy wounded. |
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John Corbin's Silver Star Citatiom |
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�The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Technician Fifth Grade John A. Corbin (ASN: 42081822), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the Medical Detachment, 80th Infantry Division in connection with military operations against an enemy of the United States on 7 January 1945 in Luxembourg. After a sharp encounter near Goesdorf, Luxembourg, on 7 January 1945, an infantry company was forced to withdraw to a defensive position and to leave many wounded in the field exposed to enemy small arms fire. While aiding a wounded man, Technician Fifth Grade Corbin, a Medical Corpsman, was dazed by the impact of an enemy machine gun bullet hitting his helmet. Recovering, he finished his mission and on reaching the aid station volunteered to lead litter squads to the other injured soldiers. Undaunted by being driven back on the first attempt, Technician Fifth Grade Corbin advanced to the wounded soldiers and aided in evacuating all of them to safety. Technician Fifth Grade Corbin's courage, aggressiveness, and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army. General Orders: Headquarters, 80th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 72 (March 13, 1945) Action Date:
January 7, 1945� |
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Thanks to Stevin Oudshhorn of www.basher.nl for his help in creating this web-page. |
