Carlos C. Ogden
Encyclopedia
Carlos C. Ogden, Sr. was a United States Army
officer and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration — the Medal of Honor
— for his actions in World War II
.
Ogden joined the Army from Fairmount, Illinois
, and by June 25, 1944 was serving as a First Lieutenant in Company K, 314th Infantry Regiment
, 79th Infantry Division. During a firefight on that day, near Fort du Roule, France
, Ogden single-handedly destroyed three German
gun emplacements. For his actions, he was awarded the Medal of Honor one year later, on June 28, 1945.
Ogden reached the rank of major
before leaving the Army. He died at age 83 and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery
, Arlington County, Virginia
.
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
officer and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration — the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
— for his actions in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
Ogden joined the Army from Fairmount, Illinois
Fairmount, Illinois
Fairmount is a village in Vance Township, Vermilion County, Illinois, United States. It is part of the 'Danville, Illinois Metropolitan Statistical Area'. The population was 640 at the 2000 census.-History:...
, and by June 25, 1944 was serving as a First Lieutenant in Company K, 314th Infantry Regiment
314th Infantry Regiment (United States)
The 314th Infantry Regiment is an Infantry Regiment of the U.S. Army first organized in 1917.-World War I:Organized as part of the 79th Division A.E.F. - World War I The United States in World War I, the men of the 314th were trained at Camp Meade , Maryland...
, 79th Infantry Division. During a firefight on that day, near Fort du Roule, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, Ogden single-handedly destroyed three German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
gun emplacements. For his actions, he was awarded the Medal of Honor one year later, on June 28, 1945.
Ogden reached the rank of major
Major (United States)
In the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, major is a field grade military officer rank just above the rank of captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel...
before leaving the Army. He died at age 83 and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington County, Virginia, is a military cemetery in the United States of America, established during the American Civil War on the grounds of Arlington House, formerly the estate of the family of Confederate general Robert E. Lee's wife Mary Anna Lee, a great...
, Arlington County, Virginia
Arlington County, Virginia
Arlington County is a county in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The land that became Arlington was originally donated by Virginia to the United States government to form part of the new federal capital district. On February 27, 1801, the United States Congress organized the area as a subdivision of...
.
Medal of Honor citation
Ogden's official Medal of Honor citation reads:On the morning of June 25, 1944, near Fort du Roule, guarding the approaches to Cherbourg, France, 1st Lt. Ogden's company was pinned down by fire from a German 88-mm. gun88 mm gunThe 88 mm gun was a German anti-aircraft and anti-tank artillery gun from World War II. It was widely used by Germany throughout the war, and was one of the most recognizable German weapons of the war...
and 2 machineguns. Arming himself with an M-1 rifle, a grenade launcherGrenade launcherA grenade launcher or grenade discharger is a weapon that launches a grenade with more accuracy, higher velocity, and to greater distances than a soldier could throw it by hand....
, and a number of rifle and handgrenades, he left his company in position and advanced alone, under fire, up the slope toward the enemy emplacements. Struck on the head and knocked down by a glancing machinegun bullet, 1st Lt. Ogden, in spite of his painful wound and enemy fire from close range, continued up the hill. Reaching a vantage point, he silenced the 88mm. gun with a well-placed rifle grenadeRifle grenadeA rifle grenade is a grenade that uses a rifle-based launcher to permit a longer effective range than would be possible if the grenade was thrown by hand...
and then, with handgrenades, knocked out the 2 machineguns, again being painfully wounded. 1st Lt. Ogden's heroic leadership and indomitable courage in alone silencing these enemy weapons inspired his men to greater effort and cleared the way for the company to continue the advance and reach its objectives.
See also
- List of Medal of Honor recipients
- List of Medal of Honor recipients for World War II