Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Maurice
Lee
Britt
June 29, 1919

–

November 26, 1995

Cemetery:

Little Rock National Cemetery

Maurice “Footsie” Britt was the first American Soldier of World War II to win all of the Army’s top medals for valor. Before the war he was an ALL STAR football player for the Arkansas Razorbacks, and then spent one year as an end for the Detroit Lions. His nickname came from his size-13 shoes. After the war Britt served as Arkansas Lieutenant Governor from 1967 to 1971, following the 20 year term of Lieutenant Governor and fellow MOH recipient Nathan Gordon (1947-67). In 1986 he ran unsuccessfully for the office of Governor against William J. Clinton.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Infantry)

    Batallion:

    3d Battalion

    Regiment:

    30th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    3d Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    October 29, 1943

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Maurice Lee Britt, United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company L, 3d Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against the enemy at Acerno, Italy, on 29 October 1943. During the drive of his Division on Naples, when the Commanding Officer of Company L was wounded, Lieutenant Britt took command and led his company in a running battel against a battalion of Germans throughout that day. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Captain (Infantry)

    Batallion:

    3d Battalion

    Regiment:

    30th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    3d Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    January 24, 1944
    Headquarters, SEVENTH U.S. Army, General Orders No. 106 (November 7, 1944)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Captain (Infantry) Maurice Lee Britt, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company L, 3d Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 24 January 1944, near Campo, Italy. When his company was pinned down by fire from all sides, Captain Britt moved into an exposed position only 75 yards from the enemy line and from there directed mortar and artillery fire. An enemy tank crew opened fire on him, but he directed an American tank destroyer’s gunfire at the tank, which withdrew. He then raced across to a house and set up machine gun fire from a window, helping fire the gun until all visible enemy soldiers had been killed or driven to cover. He then too over direction of mortar and tank destroyer fire which knocked out three enemy machine guns, two personnel carriers, and several mortars, before finally leading his men in the attack. Captain Britt’s outstanding leadership, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 3d Infantry Division, and the United States Army.

  • Medal of Honor

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Captain (Infantry)

    Batallion:

    3d Battalion

    Regiment:

    30th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    3d Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    November 10, 1943
    War Department, General Orders No. 23 (March 24, 1944)

    The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Captain (Infantry) Maurice Lee Britt, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with Company L, 3d Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division. Disdaining enemy hand grenades and close-range machine pistol, machinegun, and rifle fire, Lieutenant Britt inspired and led a handful of his men in repelling a bitter counterattack by approximately 100 Germans against his company positions north of Mignano, Italy, the morning of 10 November 1943. During the intense fire fight, Lieutenant Britt’s canteen and field glasses were shattered; a bullet pierced his side; his chest, face, and hands were covered with grenade wounds. Despite his wounds, for which he refused to accept medical attention until ordered to do so by his battalion commander following the battle, he personally killed five and wounded an unknown number of Germans, wiped out one enemy machinegun crew, fired five clips of carbine and an undetermined amount of M-1 rifle ammunition, and threw 32 fragmentation grenades. His bold, aggressive actions, utterly disregarding superior enemy numbers, resulted in capture of four Germans, two of them wounded, and enabled several captured Americans to escape. Lieutenant Britt’s undaunted courage and prowess in arms were largely responsible for repulsing a German counterattack which, if successful, would have isolated his battalion and destroyed his company.