Medal of Honor: Edgar H. Lloyd, World War II, September 14, 1944

Edgar H. Lloyd
World War II
September 14, 1944 – Near Pompey, France

The mission was simple to state but nearly impossible to achieve: drive 200 enemy soldiers from a fortified position near Pompey, France. Company E of the 319th Infantry advanced under a storm of rifle and machine-gun fire, but the assault faltered when Lloyd’s platoon was pinned down just 50 yards short of the defenses. In that instant of chaos, Lieutenant Edgar H. Lloyd stood tall. With complete disregard for his life, he rose to his feet, shouted for his men to follow, and charged headlong into the fire.

He leapt directly into the first machine-gun nest, silenced the gunner with his bare fists, tossed in a grenade, and was out again before it exploded. Without pause, he sprinted from bunker to bunker, laying down bursts of submachine-gun fire until he was close enough to finish the job with grenades. One after another, the positions fell. By the time he was done, Lloyd had personally destroyed five machine-gun nests, killed or scattered dozens of defenders, and reignited his men’s fighting spirit. Inspired by his audacity, the platoon surged forward and overwhelmed the fortified German defenses.

What could have been a costly defeat turned into a stunning victory because one officer chose to lead not from behind, but at the very tip of the attack. Lloyd’s fearless charge transformed the battlefield and secured the mission against overwhelming odds.

Medal of Honor Citation

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. On 14 September 1944, Company E, 319th Infantry, with which 1st Lt. Lloyd was serving as a rifle platoon leader, was assigned the mission of expelling an estimated enemy force of 200 men from a heavily fortified position near Pompey, France. As the attack progressed, 1st Lt. Lloyd’s platoon advanced to within 50 yards of the enemy position where they were caught in a withering machinegun and rifle crossfire which inflicted heavy casualties and momentarily disorganized the platoon. With complete disregard for his own safety, 1st Lt. Lloyd leaped to his feet and led his men on a run into the raking fire, shouting encouragement to them. He jumped into the first enemy machinegun position, knocked out the gunner with his fist, dropped a grenade, and jumped out before it exploded. Still shouting encouragement he went from 1 machinegun nest to another, pinning the enemy down with submachine gun fire until he was within throwing distance, and then destroyed them with hand grenades. He personally destroyed 5 machineguns and many of the enemy, and by his daring leadership and conspicuous bravery inspired his men to overrun the enemy positions and accomplish the objective in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds. His audacious determination and courageous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States.