Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Private First Class

Unit:

350th Infantry Regiment, 88th Infantry Division "Fighting Blue Devils", U.S. Army

Citation:
"RALPH P, CORBIN, 33554920, Private First Class, Company "B", 350th Infantry, for gallantry in action. On 11 May 1944, on Mt. Cianelli, Italy, Company "B" was advancing up the slope of this hill when, it was halted and pinned down by deadly hail of machine gun bullets, fired from enemy concrete pillboxes. Private First Class CORBIN volunteered to attack and silence the foremost pillbox that was firing on his platoon, so that the others could be flanked and destroyed. Disregarding the intense and murderous mortar shells and small arms fire directed at him, and with utter disregard for his own life, he crawled on his hands and knees to the first pillbox, climbed on top of it, continuously being exposed to fierce enemy fire, and tossed one hand grenade into the small air vent. The explosion seriously wounded one of the gun crew and droire out three others; as they emerged they were killed by the platoon. Private First Class CORBIN then threw a phosphorous grenade to complete the work of clearing the pillbox. This valorous deed on the part of Private First Class CORBIN permitted the platoon to advance to the next row of pillboxes, which they flanked and knocked out. Without the heroic aid of Private First Class CORBIN, the platoon would have been pinned down indefinitely, its advance held up, and probably suffered heavy casualties in the attempt to nullify the defensive value of the pillboxes. The exceptional initiative, conspdcuous gallantry, and outstanding valor displayed by Private First Class CORBIN, was an inspiration to all who witnessed the action, and exemplifies the heroic qualities of the American soldier. "

The exact date of action as well as the citation are unknown to us.