Medal of Honor: Walter C. Wetzel – World War II – April 3, 1945

Name: Walter C. Wetzel
Rank: Private First Class
Branch: U.S. Army
War: World War II
Unit: 13th Infantry Regiment, 8th Infantry Division
Date of Action: April 3, 1945
Location: Birken, Germany

Summary of Action

On the early morning of 3 April 1945, Private First Class Walter C. Wetzel was serving as acting squad leader with the Antitank Company of the 13th Infantry at Birken, Germany.

He was guarding his platoon command post, located inside a house, when he detected strong enemy forces moving into position for an attack.

Wetzel immediately rushed inside, alerted the occupants, and organized the defense.

Moments later, German troops opened heavy automatic-weapons fire on the building.

Despite the danger, Wetzel remained at his firing position as the defenders fought back.

Using darkness for cover, enemy soldiers advanced close to the house and began throwing grenades through openings into the room where the Americans were defending.

Two grenades landed directly among Wetzel and his comrades.

There was no time to throw them back.

Shouting a warning to the others, Wetzel instantly threw himself onto the grenades.

When they exploded, he absorbed the full blast with his body.

He suffered mortal wounds and died from his injuries.

His sacrifice saved the lives of the men around him, allowed the command post to continue resisting, and helped break a dangerous local enemy counterattack.

Walter C. Wetzel’s unhesitating courage and selfless devotion to his comrades upheld the highest traditions of the United States Army.

Medal of Honor Citation

WETZEL, WALTER C.

Pfc. Wetzel, an acting squad leader with the Antitank Company of the 13th Infantry, was guarding his platoon’s command post in a house at Birken, Germany, during the early morning hours of 3 April 1945, when he detected strong enemy forces moving in to attack. He ran into the house, alerted the occupants and immediately began defending the post against heavy automatic weapons fire coming from the hostile troops. Under cover of darkness the Germans forced their way close to the building where they hurled grenades, 2 of which landed in the room where Pfc. Wetzel and the others had taken up firing positions. Shouting a warning to his fellow soldiers, Pfc. Wetzel threw himself on the grenades and, as they exploded, absorbed their entire blast, suffering wounds from which he died. The supreme gallantry of Pfc. Wetzel saved his comrades from death or serious injury and made it possible for them to continue the defense of the command post and break the power of a dangerous local counterthrust by the enemy. His unhesitating sacrifice of his life was in keeping with the U.S. Army’s highest traditions of bravery and heroism.