This Military Service Page was created/owned by
MAJ Mark E Cooper
to remember
Biddle, Melvin Earl (Bud (MOH)), PFC.
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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
Unofficial Badges
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.
Name of Award Europe/African/Middle Eastern Campaign
Devices
Bronze Arrowhead
The Arrowhead device is a miniature bronze arrowhead that may be worn on campaign, expedition, and service medals and ribbons to denote participation in an amphibious assault landing, combat parachute jump, helicopter assault landing, or combat glider landing by a service member of the United States Army.
Year Awarded 1944
Last Updated: Aug 31, 2020
This ribbon will display Multiple Award devices automatically based on the total number of awards listed
