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

Name: Ernest August Janson (served under the name 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 fierce fighting around Hill 142 near Château-Thierry, Gunnery Sergeant Ernest August Janson displayed the extraordinary courage that earned him both the Army and Navy Medals of Honor.

The Marines of the 49th Company had only just seized their objective when German forces launched a series of determined counterattacks before the new American positions could be consolidated.

While attempting to organize a defensive line on the northern slope of the hill, Janson spotted a critical threat.

A detachment of twelve German soldiers, armed with five light machine guns, was crawling into position where they could bring devastating fire upon the exposed Marines.

If allowed to deploy, the enemy guns could sweep the hilltop and force the Americans to abandon the hard-won objective.

Without waiting for reinforcements or orders, Janson immediately shouted a warning and charged the advancing Germans by himself.

Closing the distance at full speed, he reached the enemy before they could emplace their weapons and bayoneted the two leaders of the detachment.

The ferocity and suddenness of the attack shattered the Germans' resolve.

The surviving soldiers fled in confusion, abandoning all five machine guns and their planned assault.

Janson's fearless action eliminated a grave danger at one of the most vulnerable moments of the battle and helped secure the Marine position on Hill 142.

His decisive leadership and extraordinary personal courage embodied the highest traditions of the United States Marine Corps and remain one of the defining acts of heroism from the opening days of the Battle of Belleau Wood.

Medal of Honor Citation

JANSON, ERNEST AUGUST (served under the name Charles F. Hoffman)

Rank and organization: Gunnery Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps, 49th Company.

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

Accredited to: New York.

(Also received the Army Medal of Honor.)

Citation:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action with the enemy near Château-Thierry, France, 6 June 1918. Immediately after the company to which G/Sgt. Janson 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. Janson was attempting to organize a position on the north slope of the hill when he saw 12 of the enemy, armed with 5 light machine guns, 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 machine-gun fire and forced the withdrawal of our troops.