Troy A. McGill
Encyclopedia
Troy A. McGill was a United States Army
soldier and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor
—for his actions during the Admiralty Islands campaign
of World War II
.
, and by March 4, 1944 was serving as a Sergeant in Troop G, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division. During an enemy attack on that day, on Los Negros
in the Admiralty Islands
, he held his ground against the numerically superior force. After ordering the only other un-wounded man in his squad to retreat, he continued to hold his position alone and eventually engaged the enemy in hand to hand combat
until he was killed. For these actions, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor six months later, on September 11, 1944.
McGill, aged 29 at his death, was buried at Knoxville National Cemetery
in his birth city of Knoxville, Tennessee
.
A section of Interstate 40 in Knoxville, Tennessee is named "Troy A. McGill Memorial Highway".
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
soldier and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
—for his actions during the Admiralty Islands campaign
Admiralty Islands campaign
The Admiralty Islands campaign was a series of battles in the New Guinea campaign of World War II in which the United States Army's 1st Cavalry Division occupied the Japanese-held Admiralty Islands....
of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
Biography
McGill joined the Army from Ada, OklahomaAda, Oklahoma
Ada is a city in and the county seat of Pontotoc County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 16,008 at the 2000 census. As of 2009, the city population was estimated at 17,019....
, and by March 4, 1944 was serving as a Sergeant in Troop G, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division. During an enemy attack on that day, on Los Negros
Los Negros Island
Los Negros Island is the third largest of the Admiralty Islands. It is significant because it contains the main airport of Manus Province on its eastern coastline, at Momote. It is connected to Lorengau, the capital of the province, on Manus Island via a highway and bridge...
in the Admiralty Islands
Admiralty Islands
The Admiralty Islands are a group of eighteen islands in the Bismarck Archipelago, to the north of New Guinea in the south Pacific Ocean. These are also sometimes called the Manus Islands, after the largest island. These rainforest-covered islands form part of Manus Province, the smallest and...
, he held his ground against the numerically superior force. After ordering the only other un-wounded man in his squad to retreat, he continued to hold his position alone and eventually engaged the enemy in hand to hand combat
Hand to hand combat
Hand-to-hand combat is a lethal or nonlethal physical confrontation between two or more persons at very short range that does not involve the use of firearms or other distance weapons...
until he was killed. For these actions, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor six months later, on September 11, 1944.
McGill, aged 29 at his death, was buried at Knoxville National Cemetery
Knoxville National Cemetery
Knoxville National Cemetery is a United States National Cemetery located in the city of Knoxville, Tennessee, USA. Established in 1863, the cemetery currently encompasses , and as of the end of 2007, had 9,006 interments. The Union Soldier monument, which stands in the eastern corner of the...
in his birth city of Knoxville, Tennessee
Knoxville, Tennessee
Founded in 1786, Knoxville is the third-largest city in the U.S. state of Tennessee, U.S.A., behind Memphis and Nashville, and is the county seat of Knox County. It is the largest city in East Tennessee, and the second-largest city in the Appalachia region...
.
A section of Interstate 40 in Knoxville, Tennessee is named "Troy A. McGill Memorial Highway".
Medal of Honor citation
Sergeant McGill's official Medal of Honor citation reads:For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action with the enemy at Los Negros Island, Admiralty Group, on 4 March 1944. In the early morning hours Sgt. McGill, with a squad of 8 men, occupied a revetmentRevetmentRevetments, or revêtements , have a variety of meanings in architecture, engineering and art history. In stream restoration, river engineering or coastal management, they are sloping structures placed on banks or cliffs in such a way as to absorb the energy of incoming water...
which bore the brunt of a furious attack by approximately 200 drink-crazed enemy troops. Although covered by crossfire from machine-guns on the right and left flank he could receive no support from the remainder of our troops stationed at his rear. All members of the squad were killed or wounded except Sgt. McGill and another man, whom he ordered to return to the next revetment. Courageously resolved to hold his position at all cost, he fired his weapon until it ceased to function. Then, with the enemy only 5 yards away, he charged from his foxhole in the face of certain death and clubbed the enemy with his rifle in hand-to-hand combat until he was killed. At dawn 105 enemy dead were found around his position. Sgt. McGill's intrepid stand was an inspiration to his comrades and a decisive factor in the defeat of a fanatical enemy.