Medal of Honor: Ernest W. Prussman, World War II, September 8, 1944

A Young Soldier’s Final Charge

At just 19 years old, Ernest W. Prussman led his squad into the teeth of German fire in Brittany, France. What he lacked in years, he made up for in courage—driving forward against machineguns, clearing positions, and refusing to yield even as enemy fire struck him down.

Name: Ernest W. Prussman
War: World War II
Date of Action: September 8, 1944

Summary of Action

The Battle of Brittany was grinding, brutal, and unforgiving. Near the village of Les Coates, American infantry faced a fortified German position spitting out mortar, machinegun, and sniper fire, halting the advance of two battalions. Into this maelstrom stepped Pfc. Ernest Prussman of the 13th Infantry Regiment, a young machine gunner from Massachusetts.

With no thought for his own safety, Prussman gathered his squad and pushed forward. Vaulting a hedgerow, he captured two enemy riflemen. Then, with sheer audacity, he led his men across open ground under heavy fire. When he spotted a German machinegun nest pinning down the advance, he stormed it, destroying the weapon and capturing its crew along with more enemy riflemen.

But Prussman was not finished. Once again, he moved ahead of his squad, taking the fight to the Germans. It was in this moment—rushing into the storm—that a rifle round struck him down. Even as he fell, he hurled a grenade that killed his attacker, ensuring his squad could continue the advance. His sacrifice shattered German resistance, allowing the battalions to push forward and secure victory in the sector.

Medal of Honor Citation

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life above and beyond the call of duty on 8 September 1944, near Les Coates, Brittany, France. When the advance of the flank companies of 2 battalions was halted by intense enemy mortar, machinegun, and sniper fire from a fortified position on his left, Pfc. Prussman maneuvered his squad to assault the enemy fortifications. Hurdling a hedgerow, he came upon 2 enemy riflemen whom he disarmed. After leading his squad across an open field to the next hedgerow, he advanced to a machinegun position, destroyed the gun, captured its crew and 2 riflemen. Again advancing ahead of his squad in the assault, he was mortally wounded by an enemy rifleman, but as he fell to the ground he threw a handgrenade, killing his opponent. His superb leadership and heroic action at the cost of his life so demoralized the enemy that resistance at this point collapsed, permitting the 2 battalions to continue their advance.