Medal of Honor: Sydney G. Gumpertz, World War I, September 29, 1918

Name: Sydney G. Gumpertz
Rank: First Sergeant
War: World War I
Date of Action: September 29, 1918
Unit: Company E, 132nd Infantry, 33rd Division
Accredited to: Chicago, Illinois

Summary of Action
During the advance through the Bois-de-Forges, Gumpertz’s platoon was halted by fierce machine gun fire. Without hesitation, he left cover and led two men forward through a deadly artillery barrage. Both companions were soon cut down by exploding shells, but Gumpertz pressed on alone. Under direct fire, he stormed the German position, jumped into the nest, and silenced the weapon. He captured all nine members of the crew, clearing the way for his platoon to resume its advance. His single-handed courage broke a deadly obstacle and pushed the attack forward.

Medal of Honor Citation
GUMPERTZ, SYDNEY G.
Rank and organization: First Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company E, 132d Infantry, 33d Division. Place and date: In the Bois-de-Forges, France, 29 September 1918. Entered service at: Chicago, Ill. Born: 24 October 1879, San Raphael, Calif. G.O. No.: 16, W.D., 1919. Citation: When the advancing line was held up by machinegun fire, 1st Sgt. Gumpertz left the platoon of which he was in command and started with 2 other soldiers through a heavy barrage toward the machinegun nest. His 2 companions soon became casualties from bursting shells, but 1st Sgt. Gumpertz continued on alone in the face of direct fire from the machinegun, jumped into the nest and silenced the gun, capturing 9 of the crew.