ultrafacts:Leonard Alfred Funk (August 27, 1916 – November 20, 1992) was a United States Army
ultrafacts:Leonard Alfred Funk (August 27, 1916 – November 20, 1992) was a United States Army Medal of Honor recipient and one of the most decorated soldiers and paratroopers of World War II. He also received the Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star, Bronze Star Medal, and three Purple Hearts.On January 29, 1945, he was serving as a first sergeant in Company C, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division at Holzheim Belgium when he encountered a group of more than 80 German soldiers, most of whom had previously been captured by American forces but, with the help of a German patrol, had managed to overwhelm their guards.As he rounded the corner of a toppled café, he was met with the barrel of an MP-40 machine gun pressed into his gut. The German officer behind the weapon began to scream at Funk, who was, needless to say, confused. Instead of dropping his Thompson and putting his hands in the air, Funk calmly looked around. He saw his men, kneeling with their hands on their heads. He saw his Wehrmacht prisoners, now armed and aiming their rifles at him. He then looked at the screaming German officer…and couldn’t help bursting into laughter. Although later he insisted he tried to stop, the laughter just kept coming. A man shouting German at him (which Funk did not speak and neither did any of his comrades) just…seemed hilarious. His outburst and non-compliance was so bizarre that many of the Germans began to chuckle, which made Funk laugh even harder. He hollered to his men, “I don’t understand what he’s saying!” The German officer was becoming increasingly agitated, screaming louder and angrier. Then, Funk did the unthinkable. [x](Fact Source) Follow Ultrafacts for more facts -- source link
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