Medal of Honor: Walter D. Ehlers - World War II - June 9-10, 1944

Name: Walter D. Ehlers
Rank: Staff Sergeant
Branch: U.S. Army
War: World War II
Unit: 18th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division
Date of Action: June 9-10, 1944
Location: Near Goville, France

Summary of Action

On 9 and 10 June 1944, during the Allied advance through Normandy, Staff Sergeant Walter D. Ehlers displayed extraordinary heroism while serving with the 18th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division.

Consistently acting as the spearhead of his unit’s attacks, Ehlers repeatedly exposed himself to deadly enemy fire whenever decisive leadership was needed.

Without waiting for orders, he pushed far ahead of his squad to assault a heavily defended German strongpoint. Along the way, he encountered an enemy patrol and personally killed four soldiers before continuing his advance.

Under intense machine-gun fire, Ehlers crawled forward until he reached the hostile position and single-handedly eliminated the gun crew.

Turning immediately toward two enemy mortar positions protected by interlocking machine-gun fire, he led his men directly through the deadly crossfire. During the assault he personally killed three German soldiers while his squad routed the remaining defenders and captured the objective.

Still not satisfied, Ehlers pressed on toward another machine-gun emplacement.

Covered by his squad’s fire, he advanced until nearly on top of the enemy position before leaping to his feet and destroying it alone despite being heavily outnumbered.

The following day, after advancing deep into enemy-held territory, his platoon found itself under overwhelming mortar, machine-gun, and small-arms fire and was ordered to withdraw.

Ehlers’ squad remained behind to provide covering fire.

Once the rest of the platoon had safely disengaged, Ehlers stood fully exposed and poured continuous fire into the surrounding German positions, deliberately drawing the enemy’s attention onto himself so his own men could escape.

During this action he was wounded.

Even so, he carried his wounded automatic rifleman to safety before turning around and crossing the shell-swept battlefield again to recover the automatic weapon he had been forced to leave behind.

After finally receiving treatment for his injuries, Ehlers refused evacuation and returned to the front to continue leading his squad.

His fearless leadership, aggressive spirit, and unwavering devotion to his men inspired all who served beside him and reflected the highest traditions of the United States Army.

Medal of Honor Citation

EHLERS, WALTER D.

Rank and organization: Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, 18th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division.

Place and date: Near Goville, France, 9-10 June 1944.

Entered service at: Manhattan, Kans.

Birth: Junction City, Kans.

G.O. No.: 91, 19 December 1944.

Citation:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty on 9-10 June 1944, near Goville, France. S/Sgt. Ehlers, always acting as the spearhead of the attack, repeatedly led his men against heavily defended enemy strong points, exposing himself to deadly hostile fire whenever the situation required heroic and courageous leadership. Without waiting for an order, S/Sgt. Ehlers, far ahead of his men, led his squad against a strongly defended enemy strong point, personally killing four of an enemy patrol who attacked him en route. Then crawling forward under withering machine-gun fire, he pounced upon the gun crew and put it out of action. Turning his attention to two mortars protected by the crossfire of two machine guns, S/Sgt. Ehlers led his men through this hail of bullets to kill or put to flight the enemy of the mortar section, killing three men himself. After mopping up the mortar positions, he again advanced on a machine gun, his progress effectively covered by his squad. When he was almost on top of the gun he leaped to his feet and, although greatly outnumbered, he knocked out the position single-handed. The next day, having advanced deep into enemy territory, the platoon of which S/Sgt. Ehlers was a member, finding itself in an untenable position as the enemy brought increased mortar, machine-gun, and small-arms fire to bear on it, was ordered to withdraw. S/Sgt. Ehlers, after his squad had covered the withdrawal of the remainder of the platoon, stood up and by continuous fire at the semicircle of enemy emplacements diverted the bulk of the heavy hostile fire on himself, thus permitting the members of his own squad to withdraw. At this point, though wounded himself, he carried his wounded automatic rifleman to safety and then returned fearlessly over the shell-swept field to retrieve the automatic rifle which he was unable to carry previously. After having his wound treated, he refused to be evacuated and returned to lead his squad. The intrepid leadership, indomitable courage, and fearless aggressiveness displayed by S/Sgt. Ehlers in the face of overwhelming enemy forces serve as an inspiration to others.