Vernon McGarity

Who was Vernon McGarity?

Vernon McGarity was a United States Army soldier and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his actions during the Battle of the Bulge in World War II.

Born in Right, Tennessee on December 1, 1921, McGarity joined the army in November 1942. By December 16, 1944, the first day of the Battle of the Bulge, he was serving near Krinkelt, Belgium as a technical sergeant in Company L of the 393rd Infantry Regiment, 99th Infantry Division. Wounded early in the battle, McGarity returned to his unit and, as squad leader, directed and encouraged his soldiers throughout the intense fight which ensued. He repeatedly braved heavy fire to rescue wounded men, attack the advancing Germans, and retrieve supplies. Only after completely running out of ammunition were he and his squad captured. For his actions during the battle he was awarded the Medal of Honor a year later, on January 11, 1946. He died at the age of 91 in 2013.