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CLIFFORD MACKENZIE
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Clifford MACKENZIE
2nd
Lieut., 2d Bn HQ & HQ Co. K.I.A.
Grubbs Ravine, Corregidor
22 February 1945 |
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 The
machine gun platoon was from the 3rd LMG. platoon, 2nd Bn HHqCo commanded by 2Lt
Clifford MacKenzie. He had followed the 1st and 3rd squads of my platoon. When
the line of advance hit the fire lane of the LMG., T-5 William Ashby, Company
medic, went to the aid of Pfc Paul Narrow. He went down with gunshot wounds in
both ankles. MacKenzie seeing this happen to his front, went to Ashby's aid and
died.
 MacKenzie's
posthumous Silver Star Medal citation reads:
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SECOND LIEUTENANT CLIFFORD MACKENZIE |
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01305117,
Infantry, United States Army. For
gallantry in action at Corregidor, Philippine Islands on 22
February 1945. During an attack by our troops, a platoon was
pinned down under a hail of light machine gun fire. One of
the men in the platoon sustained mortal wounds and another
soldier going to his aid was seriously wounded. Fully aware
of the risks involved and totally disregarding the possible
consequences, Lieutenant MacKenzie unhesitatingly plunged
through the withering fire toward the wounded man and in so
doing lost his life. Lieutenant MacKenzie's display of
valor, beyond the call of duty exemplifies the highest
traditions of the military service. Next of kin: Mr. Willaim
S. MacKenzie, (father), 1410 Cortelyon Road, Brooklyn, New
York." |
Bill Calhoun
My
Day With The Rattlesnakes:
Clifford MacKenzie was a member of a patrol of
the second Battalion Headquarters and Headquarters Company which came under
fire. One man was killed and one wounded in a withering hail of enemy light
machine gun fire. Mackenzie was killed plunging through the fire to aid his platoon members. He
was awarded the Silver Star posthumously.
Bennett M. Guthrie
"Three Winds of Death"
(MacKenzie was with 2d Bn HQ & HQ Co., and his platoon was attached to "F"
Company in support of an "F" Co skirmish line which was ambushed in
Grubbs Ravine. He was one of four men killed in that action - the other
three were Pfc. Paul A. Narrow, Pfc Theodore C. Yokum & Sgt (Pvt.) George J.
Mikel. )
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