Medal of Honor Recipient Melvin E. Biddle Passes Away at 87

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Congressional Medal of Honor Society

Dec 17, 2010, 05:19 ET

Earned Nation's Highest Award for Valor during World War II

MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C., Dec. 17, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Congressional Medal of Honor Society announces that Private First Class Melvin E. Biddle, Medal of Honor recipient, passed away Thursday, December 16, 2010 at his home in Anderson, Indiana at age 87.

Melvin received his Medal of Honor at a White House ceremony from President Truman on October 12, 1945. During the ceremony President Truman whispered to him, "people don't believe me when I tell them I'd rather have one of these than be president."

He displayed conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy near Soy, Belgium, on 23 and 24 December 1944. Serving as lead scout during an attack to relieve the enemy-encircled town of Hotton, Pfc. Biddle's intrepid courage and superb daring during his 20-hour action enabled his battalion to break the enemy grasp on Hotton with a minimum of casualties.

He was born in Daleville, IN where he attended elementary school and then on to high school in Anderson, IN.

Melvin Biddle is survived by his wife Leona and many other family members. Funeral services are pending. There are 86 recipients alive today.

About the Congressional Medal of Honor Society

The Congressional Medal of Honor Society was chartered by Congress in 1958 and consists exclusively of the living recipients of our nation's highest award for bravery in combat, the Medal of Honor. Those who wear this light blue ribbon and Medal around their neck are "recipients" of this prestigious award; they are not "winners." Although it is common to refer to the Medal as the Congressional Medal of Honor, it is simply named the Medal of Honor, although, as stated, the Congress did establish the Society as the Congressional Medal of Honor Society.