Medal of Honor: Gerald L. Endl – World War II, July 11, 1944

Name: Gerald L. Endl

Rank: Staff Sergeant
Conflict: World War II
Unit: 32nd Infantry Division, U.S. Army
Date of Action: July 11, 1944
Location: Near Anamo, New Guinea

Summary of Action:
Deep within the tangled jungles of New Guinea, Staff Sergeant Gerald Endl led from the front as his platoon advanced cautiously along a narrow trail. It was July 11, 1944, and the oppressive heat was matched only by the growing tension of an imminent enemy ambush. Suddenly, Japanese forces struck with ferocity—unleashing a torrent of machine gun, rifle, and grenade fire. With his platoon leader down, Endl immediately took command, stabilizing the line at a fork in the trail—the very direction the enemy was now pouring in.

As enemy fire intensified, the dense terrain made movement nearly impossible and visibility nearly zero. Then, through the foliage, Endl spotted what few could see: the Japanese were attempting a double envelopment, supported by six light and two heavy machine guns, threatening to encircle and annihilate the American force.

When 12 of his men were wounded and seven cut off, Endl realized retreat would mean their certain death. Determined not to leave his men behind, he chose to go forward—alone. For ten harrowing minutes, under point-blank enemy fire, he fought a one-man battle to pin down the attackers, buying time for his platoon to evacuate the wounded and withdraw.

Then, one by one, Endl crawled through the crossfire to rescue four wounded men, dragging and carrying them to safety. As he returned for the last, carrying the man in his arms, he was struck by a hail of automatic fire and killed. His fearless stand and deliberate self-sacrifice allowed the successful evacuation of all but one man and saved the remaining two platoons from destruction.

In the choking green hell of the South Pacific, Staff Sergeant Gerald Endl gave his life so others might live, leaving behind a legacy of valor that echoes far beyond the jungle trails of New Guinea.

Medal of Honor Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty near Anamo, New Guinea, on 11 July 1944. S/Sgt. Endl was at the head of the leading platoon of his company advancing along a jungle trail when enemy troops were encountered and a firefight developed. The enemy attacked in force under heavy rifle, machinegun, and grenade fire. His platoon leader wounded, S/Sgt. Endl immediately assumed command and deployed his platoon on a firing line at the fork in the trail toward which the enemy attack was directed. The dense jungle terrain greatly restricted vision and movement, and he endeavored to penetrate down the trail toward an open clearing of Kunai grass. As he advanced, he detected the enemy, supported by at least 6 light and 2 heavy machineguns, attempting an enveloping movement around both flanks. His commanding officer sent a second platoon to move up on the left flank of the position, but the enemy closed in rapidly, placing our force in imminent danger of being isolated and annihilated. Twelve members of his platoon were wounded, 7 being cut off by the enemy. Realizing that if his platoon were forced farther back, these 7 men would be hopelessly trapped and at the mercy of a vicious enemy, he resolved to advance at all cost, knowing it meant almost certain death, in an effort to rescue his comrades. In the face of extremely heavy fire he went forward alone and for a period of approximately 10 minutes engaged the enemy in a heroic close-range fight, holding them off while his men crawled forward under cover to evacuate the wounded and to withdraw. Courageously refusing to abandon 4 more wounded men who were lying along the trail, 1 by 1 he brought them back to safety. As he was carrying the last man in his arms he was struck by a heavy burst of automatic fire and was killed. By his persistent and daring self-sacrifice and on behalf of his comrades, S/Sgt. Endl made possible the successful evacuation of all but 1 man, and enabled the 2 platoons to withdraw with their wounded and to reorganize with the rest of the company.