Edwin Claude Hicks, Paulding Co Ga highest decorated WWII Soldier

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World War II Soldier.The following is an account
of the action for which the DSC was awarded "On". the night of March 15, 1944, private Hicks participated in an attack on an
ememy-held house northwest of Carano, Italy. After his unit had been relieved he voluntarily remained behind during a heavy artillary barrage to protect his squad leader, who was aiding in installation of a Browning automatic rifle position.

While the BAR position was being installed, 20 Germans launched a counter-attack from their front 130 yards away. The Germans surged directly toward the house over flat, moonlit terrain.

Hicks fired his M-1 rifle until it jammed. He then picked up an enemy rifle, which he had earmarked for emergency use, and continued to fire at the Nazis, now close enough to throw hand grenades into the house and completely surrounding it.

By continiuous fire private Hicks and the two other men succeeded in disrupting the attack and in Killing off the enemy, after taking two prisoners.
When it was decided to withdraw to the rear Private Hicks was carring a hand grenade with the pin pulled which he threw over a bank. He heard a noise and upon investigation he found a slightly wounded enemy trying to crawl away.
Private Hicks crawled up under the artillery and small arms fire and grasping the German by the legs,pulled him into the ditch and brought him back prisioner. On one other occasion before reachig the rear
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