Robert D. Booker (July 11, 1920 – April 9, 1943) was a

United States Army The United States Army (USA) is the primary Land warfare, land service branch of the United States Department of Defense. It is designated as the Army of the United States in the United States Constitution.Article II, section 2, clause 1 of th ...

soldier and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the

Medal of Honor The Medal of Honor (MOH) is the United States Armed Forces' highest Awards and decorations of the United States Armed Forces, military decoration and is awarded to recognize American United States Army, soldiers, United States Navy, sailors, Un ...

—for his actions in

World War II World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...

Biography

Booker joined the army from his birthplace of

Callaway, Nebraska Callaway is a village in Custer County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 539 at the 2010 census. History Callaway was platted in 1885. It was named for S. R. Callaway, general manager of the Union Pacific Railroad. Geography Accord ...

, in June 1942, and by April 9, 1943, was serving as a

private Private or privates may refer to: Music * "In Private", by Dusty Springfield from the 1990 album ''Reputation'' * Private (band), a Denmark-based band * "Private" (Ryōko Hirosue song), from the 1999 album ''Private'', written and also recorded ...

in the 133rd Infantry Regiment, 34th Infantry Division. On that day, near Fondouk,

Tunisia Tunisia, officially the Republic of Tunisia, is a country in the Maghreb region of North Africa. It is bordered by Algeria to the west and southwest, Libya to the southeast, and the Mediterranean Sea to the north and east. Tunisia also shares m ...

, 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.findagrave.com id #6404207
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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 Mortar may refer to: * Mortar (weapon), an indirect-fire infantry weapon * Mortar (masonry), a material used to fill the gaps between blocks and bind them together * Mortar and pestle, a tool pair used to crush or grind * Mortar, Bihar, a village i ...
were using him as an individual target. Although enemy
artillery Artillery consists of ranged weapons that launch Ammunition, munitions far beyond the range and power of infantry firearms. Early artillery development focused on the ability to breach defensive walls and fortifications during sieges, and l ...
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.

Legacy

The

M10 Booker The M10 Booker is an American assault gun produced by General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) for the United States Army. The M10 was developed from the General Dynamics Griffin, GDLS Griffin II armored fighting vehicle as the winner of its Mobil ...

, an armored fighting vehicle unveiled by the U.S. Army in June 2023, is named in Booker's honor.

References

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Booker, Robert D. 1920 births 1943 deaths United States Army personnel killed in World War II United States Army Medal of Honor recipients People from Custer County, Nebraska United States Army soldiers World War II recipients of the Medal of Honor

Biography

Medal of Honor citation

Legacy

See also

References