Doyle W. McDaniel
Private First Class, U.S. Army

On 6 November 1944, then-Private Doyle W. McDaniel was serving with the 146th Engineer Combat Battalion, 28th Infantry Division, First U.S. Army.

On that day, PVT McDaniel’s unit was in action against German forces in Germany during the Siegfried Line Campaign. With great personal bravery, PVT McDaniel exposed himself atop a woodpile to draw the fire of 3 hidden German snipers that were holding up the advance of his platoon through a German village. The German snipers opened fire, revealing their positions, and PVT McDaniel and his comrades succeeded in killing the 3 Germans. After the platoon had advanced about 75 yards, another sniper fired upon the men. PVT McDaniel again volunteered to ferret out the lone rifleman. Inching his way toward the sniper, PVT McDaniel reached a haystack, climbed it, and with utter disregard for his own safety, again exposed himself. A single shot from the sniper's rifle killed PVT McDaniel as he prepared to fire. His comrades, seeing the location of the enemy, poured a hail of small arms fire into the position and killed the German. PVT McDaniel’s dedication to duty, selfless courageous actions and extraordinary heroism that day earned him, at the cost of his life, the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

Medals and Awards

Distinguished Service Cross
Purple Heart
Army Good Conduct Medal
American Campaign Medal
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with Arrowhead Pin and 3 Bronze Stars
World War II Victory Medal

Distinguished Service Cross Citation

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Private Doyle W. McDaniel (ASN: 38307784), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with the 146th Engineer Combat Battalion, in action against enemy forces on 6 November 1944, in Germany. Private McDaniel with great personal bravery deliberately exposed himself atop a woodpile to draw the fire of three hidden enemy snipers who were holding up the advance of his platoon through a German village. The enemy snipers opened fire disclosing their positions and Private McDaniel and his comrades succeeded in killing the three Germans. After the platoon had advanced approximately seventy-five yards, another sniper fired upon the men. Again Private McDaniel volunteered to ferret out the lone rifleman. Inching his way toward the sniper, he reached a haystack, climbed it and, with utter disregard for his own safety, again exposed himself. A single shot from the sniper's rifle killed him as he prepared to fire. His comrades, observing the location of the enemy, poured a hail of small arms fire into the position and killed the German. The unflinching dedication to duty, fearlessness and tenacity of purpose displayed by Private McDaniel exemplify the highest traditions of the Armed Forces.

Headquarters, First U.S. Army, General Orders No. 3 (January 4, 1945)

Burial

Private First Class Doyle W. McDaniel is buried at Corine Cemetery in Jacksonville, Cherokee County, TX.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/39489962/doyle-w-mcdaniel