Medal of Honor: Harry J. Michael – U.S. Army – World War II

Name: Harry J. Michael
Rank: Second Lieutenant
Branch: U.S. Army
Unit: Company L, 318th Infantry Regiment, 80th Infantry Division
Place: Near Niederzerf, Germany
Entered Service At: Milford, Indiana
Born: Milford, Indiana
G.O. No.: 18, 13 February 1946

Summary of Action

As his company advanced up a wooded ridge near Niederzerf, Germany, 2d Lt. Harry J. Michael heard the unmistakable sound of an enemy machinegun being readied. Quietly halting his men, he moved forward alone into the woods to investigate.

He soon located two enemy machinegun positions. Without hesitation, he launched a sudden charge, completely surprising the crews and capturing both guns and their operators.

At first light, hearing enemy movement ahead, he led his platoon in a flanking assault through dense terrain. In a bitter fight, they overwhelmed the enemy, capturing 25 soldiers of an SS mountain unit along with artillery pieces and transport animals.

While his company consolidated its position, Lt. Michael continued to operate aggressively on his own initiative. During two separate reconnaissance missions, he single-handedly killed, wounded, and captured multiple enemy soldiers, taking a total of 13 prisoners.

Later that day, he led his platoon in a direct assault against a line of enemy pillboxes, killing 10 and capturing 30 more as the position fell.

The following morning, when sniper fire threatened his company, Lt. Michael once again moved forward to locate the danger. During this effort, he was struck and killed.

His fearless leadership and relentless offensive spirit inspired his men and upheld the highest traditions of the U.S. Army.

Medal of Honor Citation

MICHAEL, HARRY J.

He was serving as a rifle platoon leader when his company began an assault on a wooded ridge northeast of the village of Niederzerf, Germany, early on 13 March 1945. A short distance up the side of the hill, 2d Lt. Michael, at the head of his platoon, heard the click of an enemy machinegun bolt. Quietly halting the company, he silently moved off into the woods and discovered 2 enemy machineguns and crews. Executing a sudden charge, he completely surprised the enemy and captured the guns and crews. At daybreak, enemy voices were heard in the thick woods ahead. Leading his platoon in a flanking movement, they charged the enemy with hand grenades and, after a bitter fight, captured 25 members of an SS mountain division, 3 artillery pieces, and 20 horses. While his company was establishing its position, 2d Lt. Michael made 2 personal reconnaissance missions of the wood on his left flank. On his first mission he killed 2, wounded 4, and captured 6 enemy soldiers single-handedly. On the second mission he captured 7 prisoners. During the afternoon he led his platoon on a frontal assault of a line of enemy pillboxes, successfully capturing the objective, killing 10 and capturing 30 prisoners. The following morning the company was subjected to sniper fire and 2d Lt. Michael, in an attempt to find the hidden sniper, was shot and killed. The inspiring leadership and heroic aggressiveness displayed by 2d Lt. Michael upheld the highest traditions of the military service.