Biddle, Melvin Earl, PFC

Deceased
 
 Photo In Uniform   Service Details
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Final Rank
Private First Class
Last Service Branch
Infantry
Last MOS
745-Rifleman
Last MOS Group
Infantry
Primary Unit
1943-1946, 745, B Company, 1st Battalion, 517th Parachute Infantry Regiment
Service Years
1943 - 1945
Infantry
Private First Class
One Service Stripe
Three Overseas Service Bars

 Last Photo   Personal Details 

10 kb


Home State
Indiana
Indiana
Year of Birth
1923
 
This Military Service Page was created/owned by MAJ Mark E Cooper to remember Biddle, Melvin Earl ((Bud) (MOH)), PFC.

If you knew or served with this Soldier and have additional information or photos to support this Page, please leave a message for the Page Administrator(s) HERE.
 
Contact Info
Home Town
Daleville, IN
Last Address
Anderson, IN
Date of Passing
Dec 17, 2010
 
Location of Interment
Anderson Memorial Park - Anderson, Indiana
Wall/Plot Coordinates
Plot: 3/467/G

 Official Badges 

Infantry Shoulder Cord French Fourragere Honorably Discharged WW II


 Unofficial Badges 




 Military Associations and Other Affiliations
Congressional Medal Of Honor Society
  2013, Congressional Medal Of Honor Society


 Additional Information
Last Known Activity:

PFC Melvin Earl "Bud" Biddle



World War II Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient. He served in the United States Army during World War I as a Private in Company B of the 1st Battalion, 517th Parachute Infantry Regiment. On December 23-24, 1944, near Soy, Belgium, he reconnoitered the German lines alone, killed three enemy snipers, and silenced four hostile machine gun emplacements. When rumor spread that he was to be decorated for his actions, Biddle approached his company commander to protest, but was quickly dismissed. Biddle was seriously wounded a few days later by German artillery. For his actions during the battle near Soy, Biddle was awarded the Medal of Honor in ceremonies at the White House on October 30, 1945, by President Harry Truman. He traveled by train from Anderson to Washington, D.C.; while enroute he was promoted to the rank of corporal. When presenting the medal to him, President Truman whispered "People don't believe me when I tell them that I'd rather have one of these than be President." He was also awarded the Bronze Star, Purple Heart and Combat Infantryman Badge. Biddle worked for the Department of Veterans Affairs for many years. He passed away at Saint John's Medical Center in Anderson, Indiana.


   
Other Comments:

PFC Melvin E Biddle - memorial on Find A Grave

 

   
 Photo Album   (More...



WWII - European Theater of Operations/Southern France Campaign (1944)/Operation Dragoon
From Month/Year
August / 1944
To Month/Year
September / 1944

Description
Operation Dragoon (initially Operation Anvil) was the code name for the landing operation of the Allied invasion of Provence (Southern France) on 15 August 1944. The operation was initially planned to be executed in conjunction with Operation Overlord, the Allied landing in Normandy, but the lack of available resources led to a cancellation of the second landing. By July 1944 the landing was reconsidered, as the clogged-up ports in Normandy did not have the capacity to adequately supply the Allied forces. Concurrently, the French High Command pushed for a revival of the operation that would include large numbers of French troops. As a result, the operation was finally approved in July to be executed in August.

The goal of the invasion was to secure the vital ports on the French Mediterranean coast and increase pressure on the German forces by opening another front. After some preliminary commando operations, the US VI Corps landed on the beaches of the Côte d'Azur under the shield of a large naval task force, followed by several divisions of the French Army B. They were opposed by the scattered forces of the German Army Group G, which had been weakened by the relocation of its divisions to other fronts and the replacement of its soldiers with third-rate Ostlegionen outfitted with obsolete equipment.

Hindered by Allied air supremacy and a large-scale uprising by the French Resistance, the weak German forces were swiftly defeated. The Germans withdrew to the north through the Rhône valley, to establish a stable defense line at Dijon. Allied mobile units were able to overtake the Germans and partially block their route at the town of Montélimar. The ensuing battle led to a stalemate, with neither side able to achieve a decisive breakthrough, until the Germans were finally able to complete their withdrawal and retreat from the town. While the Germans were retreating, the French managed to capture the important ports of Marseille and Toulon, soon putting them into operation.

The Germans were not able to hold Dijon and ordered a complete withdrawal from Southern France. Army Group G retreated further north, pursued by Allied forces. The fighting ultimately came to a stop at the Vosges mountains, where Army Group G was finally able to establish a stable defense line. After meeting with the Allied units from Operation Overlord, the Allied forces were in need of reorganizing and, facing stiffened German resistance, the offensive was halted on 14 September. Operation Dragoon was considered a success by the Allies. It enabled them to liberate most of Southern France in just four weeks while inflicting heavy casualties on the German forces, although a substantial part of the best German units were able to escape. The captured French ports were put into operation, allowing the Allies to solve their supply problems quickly.
   
My Participation in This Battle or Operation
From Month/Year
August / 1944
To Month/Year
September / 1944
 
Last Updated:
Mar 16, 2020
   
Personal Memories
   
My Photos From This Battle or Operation
No Available Photos

  106 Also There at This Battle:
  • Dallas, Frank J., LTC, (1942-1970)
  • DeVanie, John, PFC
  • Fisco, Richard, S/SGT
  • Leach, Oliver D., SGT, (1943-1945)
  • Martin, Joseph Thomas, 1SG, (1944-1967)
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