14 Jul 1943, Private Roberts was decorated with the Silver Star Medal for gallantry in action, near Biscari, Sicily. While engaging in the attack on Biscari Airport, the heavy machine gun that Private Roberts was firing was destroyed by a shell burst from an enemy mortar. Althought subjected to enemy machine gun, artillery and anti-tank fire, Private Roberts secured a light machine gun abandoned by its crew nearby, and by carrying it in his arms, he advanced on the enemy, firing as he walked. Although his hands were severely burned by the hot barrel of his machine gun, he continued to advance on the enemy, firing all the time, succeeding in killing several of the enemy and forcing the remainder to withdraw. In performing this valorous deed, Private Roberts crossed approximately one hundred yards of open ground and climbed a 50 ft hill while under continuous heaving enemy machine gun and rifle fire. The bronze star, Purple Heart and 4 campaign medals were awarded to Homer on 26 Apr 2002 for actions during WWII, almost 60 years after the war.
14 Jul 1943, Private Roberts was decorated with the Silver Star Medal for gallantry in action, near Biscari, Sicily. While engaging in the attack on Biscari Airport, the heavy machine gun that Private Roberts was firing was destroyed by a shell burst from an enemy mortar. Althought subjected to enemy machine gun, artillery and anti-tank fire, Private Roberts secured a light machine gun abandoned by its crew nearby, and by carrying it in his arms, he advanced on the enemy, firing as he walked. Although his hands were severely burned by the hot barrel of his machine gun, he continued to advance on the enemy, firing all the time, succeeding in killing several of the enemy and forcing the remainder to withdraw. In performing this valorous deed, Private Roberts crossed approximately one hundred yards of open ground and climbed a 50 ft hill while under continuous heaving enemy machine gun and rifle fire. The bronze star, Purple Heart and 4 campaign medals were awarded to Homer on 26 Apr 2002 for actions during WWII, almost 60 years after the war.
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