MOH

Medal of Honor: Elmer E. Fryar – World War II – December 8, 1944

Wounded and alone on high ground, one paratrooper broke an enemy flanking attack, killed 27 soldiers, rescued wounded comrades, and finally threw himself into the path of a sniper’s burst—saving his platoon leader’s life with his own.

December 9, 2025

Name: Elmer E. Fryar
Rank: Private
Organization: U.S. Army
Unit: Company E, 511th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 11th Airborne Division
Place and Date: Leyte, Philippine Islands – 8 December 1944
Entered Service At: Denver, Colorado
Born: Denver, Colorado – 1914
Departed: December 8, 1944 (Killed in Action)
Accredited To: Colorado

Summary of Action

During heavy fighting on Leyte, Private Elmer E. Fryar’s battalion struck a strongly fortified enemy position supported by mortars and automatic weapons. Repeated assaults failed to break the defenses, and the unit was forced to withdraw to reorganize. Company E was tasked with covering the retreat when a powerful Japanese counterattack threatened to envelop them.

Spotting an enemy platoon maneuvering to outflank his company, Fryar acted instantly. He moved to higher ground alone, opened accurate and devastating fire, and—despite being wounded—continued firing until he drove the force back, leaving 27 enemy soldiers dead.

As he withdrew, Fryar found a severely wounded comrade and helped him toward safety. Rejoining his platoon leader, who was also assisting a wounded man, Fryar stayed with them as they attempted to return to friendly lines. Suddenly, an enemy sniper appeared and took aim at the officer.

In a split second, Fryar hurled himself forward, absorbing the full burst of automatic fire meant for his platoon leader. Mortally wounded, he summoned his last reserve of strength to throw a hand grenade, killing the sniper who had shot him.

His courage, sacrifice, and relentless determination enabled his battalion’s withdrawal—and epitomized the highest ideals of the airborne soldier.

Medal of Honor Citation

FRYAR, ELMER E.

Rank and organization: Private, U.S. Army, Company E, 511th Parachute Infantry, 11th Airborne Division.

Place and date: Leyte, Philippine Islands, 8 December 1944.

Entered service at: Denver, Colo.

Birth: Denver, Colo.

G.O. No.: 35, 9 May 1945.

Citation:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Pvt. Fryar’s battalion encountered the enemy strongly entrenched in a position supported by mortars and automatic weapons. The battalion attacked, but in spite of repeated efforts was unable to take the position. Pvt. Fryar’s company was ordered to cover the battalion’s withdrawal to a more suitable point from which to attack, but the enemy launched a strong counterattack which threatened to cut off the company. Seeing an enemy platoon moving to outflank his company, he moved to higher ground and opened heavy and accurate fire. He was hit, and wounded, but continuing his attack he drove the enemy back with a loss of 27 killed. While withdrawing to overtake his squad, he found a seriously wounded comrade, helped him to the rear, and soon overtook his platoon leader, who was assisting another wounded. While these 4 were moving to rejoin their platoon, an enemy sniper appeared and aimed his weapon at the platoon leader. Pvt. Fryar instantly sprang forward, received the full burst of automatic fire in his own body and fell mortally wounded. With his remaining strength he threw a hand grenade and killed the sniper. Pvt. Fryar’s indomitable fighting spirit and extraordinary gallantry above and beyond the call of duty contributed outstandingly to the success of the battalion’s withdrawal and its subsequent attack and defeat of the enemy. His heroic action in unhesitatingly giving his own life for his comrade in arms exemplifies the highest tradition of the U.S. Armed Forces.