[Aktungbby]

1945: AUDIE MURPHY IS PROMOTED TO COMPANY COMMANDER AND EARNS THE CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR HOLDING OFF A GERMAN ADVANCE ATOP A BURNING TANK DESTROYER FOR AN HOUR, MANNING A .50 CALIBER MACHINE-GUN AND INFLICTING 50 CASUALTIES.

As the company awaited reinforcements on 26 January, he was made commander of Company B.
The Germans scored a direct hit on an M10 tank destroyer, setting it alight, forcing the crew to abandon it. Murphy ordered his men to retreat to positions in the woods, remaining alone at his post, shooting his M1 carbine and directing artillery fire via his field radio while the Germans aimed fire directly at his position. Murphy mounted the abandoned, burning tank destroyer and began firing its .50 caliber machine gun at the advancing Germans, killing a squad crawling through a ditch towards him. For an hour, Murphy stood on the flaming tank destroyer returning German fire from foot soldiers and advancing tanks, killing or wounding 50 Germans. He sustained a leg wound during his stand, and stopped only after he ran out of ammunition. Murphy rejoined his men, disregarding his own injury, and led them back to repel the Germans. He insisted on remaining with his men while his wounds were treated.
For his actions that day, he was awarded the Medal of Honor.