MOH

Medal of Honor: Isadore S. Jachman – World War II – Belgium – January 1945

When tanks broke through and fire pinned his company to the ground, he chose action over survival. Crossing open ground alone, he turned himself into the line that stopped the attack.

January 4, 2026

Name: Isadore S. Jachman
Rank: Staff Sergeant
Organization: U.S. Army
Unit: Company B, 513th Parachute Infantry Regiment
Place: Flamierge, Belgium
Entered Service At: Baltimore, Maryland
Born: Berlin, Germany

Summary of Action

On 4 January 1945, near Flamierge, Belgium, Staff Sergeant Isadore S. Jachman’s company was pinned down by intense enemy artillery, mortar, and small-arms fire. As the paratroopers struggled under this crushing barrage, two enemy tanks attacked, inflicting heavy casualties and threatening to overrun the position.

Recognizing the desperate situation, Staff Sergeant Jachman left his place of cover and, with complete disregard for his own safety, dashed across open ground through a hail of enemy fire. Reaching a fallen comrade, he seized a bazooka and advanced alone toward the tanks, which immediately concentrated their fire upon him.

Firing the weapon single-handedly, Staff Sergeant Jachman damaged one tank and forced both armored vehicles to withdraw. In doing so, he disrupted the enemy assault at its most critical moment. Mortally wounded during his heroic action, he gave his life to save his comrades and halt the enemy attack. His selfless courage reflected the highest traditions of the airborne infantry and the United States Army.

Medal of Honor Citation

JACHMAN, ISADORE S.
Rank and organization: Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company B, 513th Parachute Infantry Regiment.
Place and date: Flamierge, Belgium, 4 January 1945.
Entered service at: Baltimore, Md.
Birth: Berlin, Germany.
G.O. No.: 25, 9 June 1950.

Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty at Flamierge, Belgium, on 4 January 1945, when his company was pinned down by enemy artillery, mortar, and small arms fire, 2 hostile tanks attacked the unit, inflicting heavy casualties. S/Sgt. Jachman, seeing the desperate plight of his comrades, left his place of cover and with total disregard for his own safety dashed across open ground through a hail of fire and seizing a bazooka from a fallen comrade advanced on the tanks, which concentrated their fire on him. Firing the weapon alone, he damaged one and forced both to retire. S/Sgt. Jachman’s heroic action, in which he suffered fatal wounds, disrupted the entire enemy attack, reflecting the highest credit upon himself and the parachute infantry.