Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Staff Sergeant

Unit:

80th Infantry Division, U.S. Army

Awarded on:

February 2nd, 1945

"For gallantry in action while serving with the 80th Infantry Division in connection with military operations against an enemy of the United States on 25 December 1944 in Belgium. On that date, Staff Sergeant McNiff was serving as a mortar section sergeant with an infantry rifle company in an assault upon enemy positions. The rifle platoons were temporarily delayed by heavy enemy machine gun fire from the right flank. Discovering the location of the gun emplacement, Staff Sergeant McNiff, with utter disregard for his own safety, voluntarily crawled to a position from which he accurately threw a hand grenade and then assaulted the position. His actions resulted in the killing of two of the gunners and the capture of two of the enemy and enabled the company to advance and complete the assigned mission. The bravery, aggressiveness, and sincere devotion to duty displayed by Staff Sergeant McNiff were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army."

Headquarters, 80th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 33