Designation of Minick Kaserne

(Bad Kreuznach, Germany)

Minick Field, on Smith Barracks, Germany, is named for Staff Sergeant John W. Minick

Historical links

 

lSmith Barracks

 

lWetzel Housing Area

 

lMinick Kaserne, Bad Kreuznach

(Minick Field, Smith Barracks)

 

lA few facts

 

lBaumholder during the 1950's

 

lBaumholder, a post card history

 

l26th Infantry statue

Page updated 25 Jan 2012

Medal of Honor Citation

John W. Minick

Rank and organization: Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company I, 121st Infantry, 8th Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Hurtgen, Germany, 21 November 1944. Entered service at: Carlisle, Pa. Birth: Wall, Pa. Citation: He displayed conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his own life, above and beyond the call of duty, in action involving actual conflict with the enemy on 21 November 1944, near Hurtgen, Germany. S/Sgt. Minick's battalion was halted in its advance by extensive minefields, exposing troops to heavy concentrations of enemy artillery and mortar fire. Further delay in the advance would result in numerous casualties and a movement through the minefield was essential. Voluntarily, S/Sgt. Minick led 4 men through hazardous barbed wire and debris, finally making his way through the minefield for a distance of 300 yards. When an enemy machinegun opened fire, he signaled his men to take covered positions, edged his way alone toward the flank of the weapon and opened fire, killing 2 members of the gun crew and capturing 3 others. Moving forward again, he encountered and engaged single-handedly an entire company killing 20 Germans and capturing 20, and enabling his platoon to capture the remainder of the hostile group. Again moving ahead and spearheading his battalion's advance, he again encountered machinegun fire. Crawling forward toward the weapon, he reached a point from which he knocked the weapon out of action. Still another minefield had to be crossed. Undeterred, S/Sgt. Minick advanced forward alone through constant enemy fire and while thus moving, detonated a mine and was instantly killed.

Department of the Army

Headquarters, United States Army, Europe and Seventh Army

APO 09403

 

General Orders                                                                                     31 July 1968

Number 238

 

Redesignation of Installation

(Des Gouttes Kaserne To Minick Kaserne)

 

1. TC 381. Des Gouttes Kaserne, Bad Kreuznach, Germany, is hereby redesignated John W. Minick Kaserne in honor of Staff Sergeant John W. Minick, United States Army.

 

Staff Sergeant Minick was posthumously awarded the Medel of Honor for his actions above and beyond the call of duty while a member of the 121st Infantry, 8th Infantry Division, during World War II, near Huertgen, Germany.

 

Authority: AR 1-30 and 6th endorsement, AEAGA-P-MD, Headquarters USAREUR and Seventh Army, 22 July 1968, to letter, Headquarters, 8th Infantry Division, 12 April 1968, Subject: Renaming of Des Gouttes Kaserne.

 

FOR THE COMMANDER IN CHIEF:

 

OFFICIAL:                                                                             B.F. Taylor

                                                                                               Major General, GS

                                                                                               Chief of Staff

 

 

 

J. H. Robinson

Colonel, AGC

Adjutant General

 

Telephone: HQ USAREUR & 7A Heid Mil (213-) 6443/7647

 

Distribution: M, plus

10 – CG, 8th Inf Div

  5 – DCSPER, USAREUR and 7A (AEAGA-)

  5 – ENG, USAREUR & 7A (AEAEN)

SPECIAL DISTRIBUTION:

20 – TAGO, DA (Attn: AGSD)