Medal of Honor Recipient Articles

Medal of Honor: Gus Kefurt – World War II – France – December 1944

In the shattered streets of an Alsatian town, a staff sergeant held the line while surrounded by enemy forces. Wounded again and again, he refused to leave his men and fought on until he was killed.

MOH

Medal of Honor: Kenneth E. Gruennert – World War II – New Guinea – December 1942

On Christmas Eve in the steaming jungles of Buna, one infantry sergeant advanced alone against fortified enemy positions. Gravely wounded, he refused to leave his men and pressed the attack until he fell.

MOH

Medal of Honor: Frederick W. Castle – World War II – Air Mission – Germany – December 1944

On Christmas Eve, high above enemy territory, a general chose duty over survival. He remained at the controls of a burning bomber so his crew could live.

MOH

Medal of Honor: Elmer J. Burr – World War II – New Guinea – December 1942

In the steaming jungles of Buna, a single split-second decision meant the difference between life and death. Without hesitation, a First Sergeant chose sacrifice so his commander might live.

MOH

Medal of Honor: Melvin E. Biddle – World War II – Ardennes – December 1944

Alone, moving forward through forest and fire, one paratrooper shattered an enemy grip that threatened to crush an American relief force. For nearly twenty hours, he fought ahead of his unit, breaking machine-gun nests and turning the tide at Hotton.

MOH

Medal of Honor: Paul L. Bolden – World War II – December 23, 1944

Pinned down by overwhelming fire, one noncommissioned officer chose to crawl forward rather than wait for relief that might never come. Wounded repeatedly and fighting alone inside an enemy strongpoint, he finished the mission by sheer force of will.

MOH

Medal of Honor: Peter J. Dalessondro – World War II – December 22, 1944

As German forces surged through the Ardennes, one noncommissioned officer chose to stand alone rather than allow his platoon to be overrun. Surrounded, outnumbered, and fully exposed, he called the final barrage onto his own position.