Some people count this date, or January 6, as the end of the Battle of the Bulge, but it really was not as fighting continued on with the Allied counteroffensive.
It was, however, the end of all rational hope for the Germans, and barely rational at that, of not losing the war.
Indeed, it was January 1945 that, for the first time, a widespread realization on the part of the German public occurred that they were going to lose the war and be occupied by the Allied powers, including the Soviet Union. Reactions varied from panic to despair.
Much of the rank and file of the German officer corps also came to that realization for the first time, although they surely should have known better, and many did.
Stalin in formed Churchill that Soviet offensive actions on the Vistula would resume mid January.
In spite of their defeat in the Ardennes, Germany had some limited success in Alsatia and Hungary on this day.
Maj. Thomas McGuire performed the actions which caused him to be awarded a posthumous Medal of Honor.
He fought with conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity over Luzon, Philippine Islands. Voluntarily, he led a squadron of 15 P-38's as top cover for heavy bombers striking Mabalacat Airdrome, where his formation was attacked by 20 aggressive Japanese fighters. In the ensuing action he repeatedly flew to the aid of embattled comrades, driving off enemy assaults while himself under attack and at times outnumbered 3 to 1, and even after his guns jammed, continuing the fight by forcing a hostile plane into his wingman's line of fire. Before he started back to his base he had shot down 3 Zeros. The next day he again volunteered to lead escort fighters on a mission to strongly defended Clark Field. During the resultant engagement he again exposed himself to attacks so that he might rescue a crippled bomber. In rapid succession he shot down 1 aircraft, parried the attack of 4 enemy fighters, 1 of which he shot down, single-handedly engaged 3 more Japanese, destroying 1, and then shot down still another, his 38th victory in aerial combat. On 7 January 1945, while leading a voluntary fighter sweep over Los Negros Island, he risked an extremely hazardous maneuver at low altitude in an attempt to save a fellow flyer from attack, crashed, and was reported missing in action. With gallant initiative, deep and unselfish concern for the safety of others, and heroic determination to destroy the enemy at all costs, Maj. McGuire set an inspiring example in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service.
Rear Admiral Theodore Edson Chandler was killed in a kamikaze attack in the Lingayen Gulf.
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