Robert D. Booker

Infobox Military Person
name=Robert D. Booker
born=birth date|1920|7|11
died=death date and age|1943|4|9|1920|7|11
placeofbirth=Callaway, Nebraska, United States
placeofdeath=near Fondouk, Tunisia
placeofburial=


caption=
nickname=
allegiance=United States of America
branch=United States Army
serviceyears=
rank=Private
commands=
unit=34th Infantry Division
battles=World War II
awards=Medal of Honor
relations=
laterwork=

Robert D. Booker (July 11 1920 – April 9 1943) was a United States Army soldier and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in World War II.

Biography

Booker joined the Army from his birth place of Callaway, Nebraska, and by April 9 1943 was serving as a private in the 34th Infantry Division. On that day, near Fondouk, Tunisia, he advanced alone across open terrain despite intense hostile fire and began firing on the enemy with his machine gun. After being wounded, he continued to fire until receiving a second, fatal, wound. For these actions, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor a year later, on April 25 1944.

Booker, aged 22 at his death, was buried at Rose Hill Cemetery in his hometown of Callaway, Nebraska.

Medal of Honor citation

Private Booker's official Medal of Honor citation reads:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life above and beyond the call of duty in action. On 9 April 1943 in the vicinity of Fondouk, Tunisia, Pvt. Booker, while engaged in action against the enemy, carried a light machinegun and a box of ammunition over 200 yards of open ground. He continued to advance despite the fact that 2 enemy machineguns and several mortars were using him as an individual target. Although enemy artillery also began to register on him, upon reaching his objective he immediately commenced firing. After being wounded he silenced 1 enemy machinegun and was beginning to fire at the other when he received a second mortal wound. With his last remaining strength he encouraged the members of his squad and directed their fire. Pvt. Booker acted without regard for his own safety. His initiative and courage against insurmountable odds are an example of the highest standard of self-sacrifice and fidelity to duty.

ee also

*List of Medal of Honor recipients
*List of Medal of Honor recipients for World War II

References

*findagrave|6404207 Retrieved on 2008-02-25

*cite web
publisher = U.S. Army Center of Military History
title = Medal of Honor Recipients - World War II (A-F)
work = Medal of Honor Citations
date = July 16 2007
url = http://www.history.army.mil/html/moh/wwII-a-f.html
accessdate = 2008-02-25

Persondata
NAME= Booker, Robert D.
ALTERNATIVE NAMES=
SHORT DESCRIPTION= United States Army Medal of Honor recipient
DATE OF BIRTH=
PLACE OF BIRTH=
DATE OF DEATH=
PLACE OF DEATH=