Medal of Honor: Paul J. Wiedorfer – World War II – Belgium – Christmas Day 1944

Name: Paul J. Wiedorfer
Rank: Staff Sergeant (then Private)
Organization: U.S. Army
Unit: Company G, 318th Infantry Regiment, 80th Infantry Division
Place: Near Chaumont, Belgium
Entered Service At: Baltimore, Maryland
Born: Baltimore, Maryland

---

Summary of Action

On Christmas Day, 25 December 1944, Company G of the 318th Infantry had cleared a wooded area of snipers and began advancing across an open clearing toward another wood near Chaumont, Belgium. As one platoon crossed the exposed ground, it was abruptly halted by intense machine-gun fire from two German positions dug in at the edge of the woods and supported by riflemen on the flanks. With no cover other than a small ridge forty yards from the enemy, the platoon was pinned down under murderous fire.

Recognizing that the advance could not continue until the machine-gun nests were destroyed, Private Paul J. Wiedorfer voluntarily charged forward alone across the icy, snow-covered ground. Under a hail of automatic and small-arms fire, he slipped and fell in the snow but rose immediately and pressed on as enemy fire concentrated on him. Reaching the first position, he hurled a hand grenade into the emplacement and killed the remaining defenders with his rifle.

Without hesitation, he pivoted and attacked the second machine-gun nest. One enemy soldier was wounded by his fire and six others surrendered. His single-handed assault shattered the enemy defense and allowed the platoon to resume its advance and seize its objective. Minutes later, when both the platoon leader and platoon sergeant were wounded, Private Wiedorfer assumed command and led the platoon forward with renewed energy until the mission was completed.

---

Medal of Honor Citation

He alone made it possible for his company to advance until its objective was seized. Company G had cleared a wooded area of snipers, and 1 platoon was advancing across an open clearing toward another wood when it was met by heavy machinegun fire from 2 German positions dug in at the edge of the second wood. These positions were flanked by enemy riflemen. The platoon took cover behind a small ridge approximately 40 yards from the enemy position. There was no other available protection and the entire platoon was pinned down by the German fire. It was about noon and the day was clear, but the terrain extremely difficult due to a 3-inch snowfall the night before over ice-covered ground. Pvt. Wiedorfer, realizing that the platoon advance could not continue until the 2 enemy machinegun nests were destroyed, voluntarily charged alone across the slippery open ground with no protecting cover of any kind. Running in a crouched position, under a hail of enemy fire, he slipped and fell in the snow, but quickly rose and continued forward with the enemy concentrating automatic and small-arms fire on him as he advanced. Miraculously escaping injury, Pvt. Wiedorfer reached a point some 10 yards from the first machinegun emplacement and hurled a handgrenade into it. With his rifle he killed the remaining Germans, and, without hesitation, wheeled to the right and attacked the second emplacement. One of the enemy was wounded by his fire and the other 6 immediately surrendered. This heroic action by 1 man enabled the platoon to advance from behind its protecting ridge and continue successfully to reach its objective. A few minutes later, when both the platoon leader and the platoon sergeant were wounded, Pvt. Wiedorfer assumed command of the platoon, leading it forward with inspired energy until the mission was accomplished.