Medal of Honor: Milo Lemert, World War I, September 29, 1918
One by one, Milo Lemert silenced four enemy machine guns with grenades. He fell at the last emplacement—but not before saving his company and securing their advance.
September 29, 2025
Name: Milo Lemert
Rank: First Sergeant
War: World War I
Date of Action: September 29, 1918
Unit: Company G, 119th Infantry, 30th Division
Accredited to: Crossville, Tennessee
Summary of Action
Near Bellicourt, France, Lemert saw his company’s flank pinned down by murderous machine gun fire. Charging forward alone, he attacked the nest with grenades, killing the crew and clearing the position. He pressed on ahead of his men, destroying a second emplacement, then a third that opened fire from the flank. Each time he braved withering fire to throw his grenades with deadly effect. Finally, alongside another sergeant, he charged a fourth machine gun nest. As he reached the parapet, Lemert was struck and killed. His fearless assaults, carried out single-handed against impossible odds, eliminated four guns, prevented countless casualties, and enabled his company to achieve its objective.
Medal of Honor Citation
LEMERT, MILO
Rank and organization: First Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company G, 119th Infantry, 30th Division. Place and date: Near Bellicourt, France, 29 September 1918. Entered service at: Crossville, Tenn. Birth: Marshalltown, Iowa. G.O. No.: 59, W.D., 1919. Citation: Seeing that the left flank of his company was held up, he located the enemy machinegun emplacement, which had been causing heavy casualties. In the face of heavy fire he rushed it single-handed, killing the entire crew with grenades. Continuing along the enemy trench in advance of the company, he reached another emplacement, which he also charged, silencing the gun with grenades. A third machinegun emplacement opened up on him from the left and with similar skill and bravery he destroyed this also. Later, in company with another sergeant, he attacked a fourth machinegun nest, being killed as he reached the parapet of the emplacement. His courageous action in destroying in turn 4 enemy machinegun nests prevented many casualties among his company and very materially aided in achieving the objective.
