Medal of Honor: Ernest August Janson – World War I – June 6, 1918

Name: Ernest August Janson (born Charles F. Hoffman)
Rank: Gunnery Sergeant
Branch: U.S. Marine Corps
War: World War I
Unit: 49th Company, 5th Regiment, 2nd Division
Date of Action: June 6, 1918
Location: Near Château-Thierry, France

Summary of Action

On 6 June 1918, during the opening stages of the Battle of Belleau Wood, Gunnery Sergeant Ernest August Janson—then serving under the name Charles F. Hoffman—displayed extraordinary heroism while defending the newly captured position on Hill 142.

After his company reached its objective, the Marines had little time to consolidate their defenses before German forces began launching determined counterattacks to retake the high ground.

While organizing positions along the hill's northern slope, Janson noticed a dangerous threat developing.

Twelve German soldiers, carrying five light machine guns, were stealthily crawling toward the Marine line.

If they reached their intended position, the enemy would be able to sweep the exposed hilltop with devastating automatic fire and potentially force the Americans to abandon the ground they had just won.

Realizing there was no time to wait, Janson immediately raised the alarm.

Then, acting entirely on his own initiative, he charged directly into the advancing German detachment.

Closing with the enemy before they could deploy their weapons, he bayoneted the two leaders of the assault.

The sudden and ferocious attack threw the remaining Germans into confusion.

Instead of standing and fighting, they fled the battlefield, abandoning all five of their machine guns.

Janson's decisive action eliminated a grave threat to the Marine position and prevented what could have become a devastating counterattack.

His courage and aggressive leadership helped secure Hill 142 during one of the most critical moments of the fighting around Belleau Wood and reflected the highest traditions of the United States Marine Corps.

Medal of Honor Citation

HOFFMAN, CHARLES F. (later known as Ernest August Janson)

Rank and organization: Gunnery Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps, 49th Company, 5th Regiment, 2nd Division.

Place and date: Near Château-Thierry, France, 6 June 1918.

Entered service at: Brooklyn, N.Y.

Born: 17 August 1878, New York, N.Y.

G.O. No.: 34, W.D., 1919.

(Also received the Navy Medal of Honor.)

Citation:

Immediately after the company to which he belonged had reached its objective on Hill 142, several hostile counterattacks were launched against the line before the new position had been consolidated. G/Sgt. Hoffman was attempting to organize a position on the north slope of the hill when he saw 12 of the enemy, armed with 5 light machineguns, crawling toward his group. Giving the alarm, he rushed the hostile detachment, bayoneted the 2 leaders, and forced the others to flee, abandoning their guns. His quick action, initiative, and courage drove the enemy from a position from which they could have swept the hill with machinegun fire and forced the withdrawal of our troops.