"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 4 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 2 mortars
protected by the crossfire of 2 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 3 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
placements, 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."
From S/Sgt. Ehlers' Medal of Honor citation, awarded in 1945.
Thank you for your service and may you be at peace,
Brian
The event told by the man himself.
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