"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above
and beyond the call of duty near Anamo, New Guinea, on 11 July 1944.
S/Sgt. Endl was at the head of the leading platoon of his company
advancing along a jungle trail when enemy troops were encountered and a
fire fight developed. The enemy attacked in force under heavy rifle,
machine gun, and grenade fire. His platoon leader wounded, S/Sgt. Endl
immediately assumed command and deployed his platoon on a firing line at
the fork in the trail toward which the enemy attack was directed. The
dense jungle terrain greatly restricted vision and movement, and he
endeavored to penetrate down the trail toward an open clearing of Kunai grass.
As he advanced, he detected the enemy, supported by at least 6 light
and 2 heavy machine guns, attempting an enveloping movement around both
flanks. His commanding officer sent a second platoon to move up on the
left flank of the position, but the enemy closed in rapidly, placing our
force in imminent danger of being isolated and annihilated. Twelve
members of his platoon were wounded, 7 being cut off by the enemy.
Realizing that if his platoon were forced farther back, these 7 men
would be hopelessly trapped and at the mercy of a vicious enemy, he
resolved to advance at all cost, knowing it meant almost certain death,
in an effort to rescue his comrades. In the face of extremely heavy fire
he went forward alone and for a period of approximately 10 minutes
engaged the enemy in a heroic close-range fight, holding them off while
his men crawled forward under cover to evacuate the wounded and to
withdraw. Courageously refusing to abandon 4 more wounded men who were
lying along the trail, 1 by 1 he brought them back to safety. As he was
carrying the last man in his arms he was struck by a heavy burst of
automatic fire and was killed. By his persistent and daring
self-sacrifice and on behalf of his comrades, S/Sgt. Endl made possible
the successful evacuation of all but 1 man, and enabled the 2 platoons
to withdraw with their wounded and to reorganize with the rest of the
company."
From S/Sgt. Endl's Medal of Honor citation, awarded on March 13, 1945.
Thank you for your service and may you be at peace,
Brian
Memorial in Janesville, Wisconsin.
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