Medal of Honor Monday: Roddie W. Edmonds

Roderick "Roddie" Waring Edmonds

 

"Master Sergeant Roderick W. Edmonds distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty from January 27, 1945, to March 30, 1945, as a prisoner of war in Germany, while assigned to headquarters and headquarters company, 422nd Infantry Regiment, 106th Infantry Division. Upon arrival at Stalag IX-A in Ziegenhain, Germany, he was soon put to the test as Senior Non-Commissioned Officer. On the evening of January 26, 1945, the Germans announced that only Jewish-American prisoners would fall out for roll call the following morning, at the threat of execution. Master Sergeant Edmonds quickly understood that segregating more than 200 Jewish-American prisoners of war would likely result in their persecution and possible death, so he directed his senior leaders to have all 1,200 American prisoners present themselves for roll call. The following morning, the Nazi commandant became incredulous after realizing that so many Americans were standing in formation. Master Sergeant Edmonds bravely resisted his fury, while also recounting the rights afforded to all prisoners under the Geneva Convention. Still enraged, the commandant removed his pistol, pressed it hard against Master Sergeant Edmonds’ forehead between his eyes and demanded that he order all Jewish-American prisoners to step forward, or he would be shot. With unwavering courage at the risk of his life, above and beyond the call of duty, Master Sergeant Edmonds fearlessly held his ground, refusing to concede and verbally warned the commandant that if he executed him, he would be prosecuted for war crimes once the war was over. Finally, the commandant, who was visibly reddened with anger, lowered his weapon and returned to his office without further attempts to segregate the Jewish-American prisoners. Master Sergeant Edmonds’ actions inspired his fellow prisoners of war. Several weeks later, in March 1945, as Allied forces were rapidly advancing toward the area, the Germans ordered all prisoners to assemble outside the barracks for evacuation farther East to another camp. Fully intending to undermine his enemy captors, Master Sergeant Edmonds ordered all American prisoners to form in front of the barracks, and when the enemy transports arrived, they would break ranks and rush back to their barracks. Without regard for his own life Master Sergeant Edmonds gallantly led these prisoners in a relentless pursuit of opposition and resistance, forcing the Germans to abandon the camp leaving the 1,200 American prisoners behind. The full extent of his bravery, unbending will, and courageous leadership would be realized when soldiers from 3rd U.S. Army liberated the camp on March 30, 1945. Master Sergeant Edmonds’ conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life, above and beyond the call of duty, are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army."

 

From M/Sgt. Edmonds' Medal of Honor citation, awarded on March 2, 2026. 

 

May you be at peace,

Brian

 

Memorial in Knoxville, TN

 

His  "Righteous Among the Nations" medal, awarded on February 10, 2015

Medal of Honor Monday: Frank P. Witek

Frank Peter Witek

"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the First Battalion, Ninth Marines, Third Marine Division, during the Battle of Finegayan at Guam, Marianas, on 3 August 1944.  When his rifle platoon was halted by heavy surprise fire from well camouflaged enemy positions, Private First Class Witek daringly remained standing to fire a full magazine from his automatic point-blank range into a depression housing Japanese troops, killing eight of the enemy and enabling the greater part of his platoon to take cover.  During his platoon's withdrawal for consolidation of lines, he remained to safeguard a severely wounded comrade, courageously returning the enemy's fire until the arrival of stretcher bearers and then covering the evacuation by sustained fire as he moved backward toward his own lines.  With his platoon again pinned down by a hostile machine-gun, Private First Class Witek, on his own initiative, moved forward boldly ahead of the reinforcing tanks and infantry, alternately throwing hand grenades and firing as he advanced to within five to ten yards of the enemy position, destroying the hostile machine-gun emplacement and an additional eight Japanese before he, himself, was struck down by an enemy rifleman.  His valiant and inspiring action effectively reduced the enemy's firepower, thereby enabling his platoon to attain its objective, and reflects the highest credit upon Private First Class Witek and the United States Naval Service.  He gallantly gave his life for his country. " 

From PFC Witek's Medal of Honor citation, awarded on May 20, 1945.

May you be at peace, 

Brian & Melonie 

USS Witek

Medal of Honor Monday: Alfred L. Wilson

Alfred Leonard Wilson

"He volunteered to assist as an aid man a company other than his own, which was suffering casualties from constant artillery fire.  He administered to the wounded and returned to his own company when a shell burst injured a number of its men.  While treating his comrades he was seriously wounded, but refused to be evacuated by litter bearers sent to relieve him.  In spite of great pain and loss of blood, he continued to administer first aid until he was too weak to stand.  Crawling from 1 patient to another, he continued his work until excessive loss of blood prevented him from moving.  He then verbally directed unskilled enlisted men in continuing the first aid for the wounded.  Still refusing assistance himself, he remained to instruct others in dressing the wounds of his comrades until he was unable to speak above a whisper and finally lapsed into unconsciousness.  The effects of his injury later caused his death.  By steadfastly remaining at the scene without regard for his own safety, Cpl. Wilson through distinguished devotion to duty and personal sacrifice helped to save the lives of at least 10 wounded men."

From T/5 Wilson's Medal of Honor citation, awarded on June 18, 1945.

May you be at peace,
Brian & Melonie

Medal of Honor Monday: Howard E. Woodford

Howard E. Woodford

"He volunteered to investigate the delay in a scheduled attack by an attached guerrilla battalion.  Reaching the line of departure, he found that the lead company, in combat for the first time, was immobilized by intense enemy mortar, machinegun, and rifle fire which had caused casualties to key personnel.  Knowing that further failure to advance would endanger the flanks of adjacent units, as well as delay capture of the objective, he immediately took command of the company, evacuated the wounded, reorganized the unit under fire, and prepared to attack.  He repeatedly exposed himself to draw revealing fire from the Japanese strong points, and then moved forward with a 5-man covering force to determine exact enemy positions.  Although intense enemy machinegun fire killed 2 and wounded his other 3 men, S/Sgt. Woodford resolutely continued his patrol before returning to the company.  Then, against bitter resistance, he guided the guerrillas up a barren hill and captured the objective, personally accounting for 2 hostile machine gunners and courageously reconnoitering strong defensive positions before directing neutralizing fire.  After organizing a perimeter defense for the night, he was given permission by radio to return to his battalion, but, feeling that he was needed to maintain proper control, he chose to remain with the guerrillas.  Before dawn the next morning the enemy launched a fierce suicide attack with mortars, grenades, and small-arms fire, and infiltrated through the perimeter.  Though wounded by a grenade, S/Sgt. Woodford remained at his post calling for mortar support until bullets knocked out his radio.  Then, seizing a rifle he began working his way around the perimeter, encouraging the men until he reached a weak spot where 2 guerrillas had been killed.  Filling this gap himself, he fought off the enemy.  At daybreak he was found dead in his foxhole, but 37 enemy dead were lying in and around his position.  By his daring, skillful, and inspiring leadership, as well as by his gallant determination to search out and kill the enemy, S/Sgt. Woodford led an inexperienced unit in capturing and securing a vital objective, and was responsible for the successful continuance of a vitally important general advance." 

From S/Sgt Woodford's Medal of Honor citation, awarded in 1945

May you be at peace,

Brian & Melonie

 USNS Woodford

Staff Sgt. Howard E. Woodford Medal of Honor Recipient Memorial Highway in Barberton, OH

 

 Memorial in Barberton, OH

Medal of Honor Monday: William G. Harrell

William George Harrell

"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as Leader of an Assault Group, serving with the First Battalion, Twenty-Eight Marines, Fifth Marine Division, during hand- to-hand combat with enemy Japanese at Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, on March 3, 1945.  Standing watch alternately with another Marine in a terrain studded with caves and ravines, Sergeant Harrell was holding a position in a perimeter defense around the company command post when Japanese troops infiltrated our lines in the early hours of dawn.   Awakened by a sudden attack, he quickly opened fire with his carbine and killed two of the enemy as they emerged from a ravine in the light of a star-shell burst.  Unmindful of his danger as hostile grenades fell closer, he waged a fierce lone battle until an exploding missile tore off his left hand and fractured his thigh; he was attempting to reload the carbine when his companion returned from the command post with another weapon.  Wounded again by a Japanese who rushed the foxhole wielding a saber in the darkness, Sergeant Harrell succeeded in drawing his pistol and killing his opponent and then ordered his wounded companion to a place of safety.  Exhausted by profuse bleeding but still unbeaten, he fearlessly met the challenge of two more enemy troops who charged his position and placed a grenade near his head.  Killing one man with his pistol, he grasped the sputtering grenade with his good right hand and, pushing it painfully toward the crouching soldier, saw his remaining assailant destroyed but his own hand severed in the explosion.  At dawn Sergeant Harrell was evacuated from a position hedged by the bodies of twelve dead Japanese, at least five of whom he had personally destroyed in his self-sacrificing defense of the command post.  His grim fortitude exceptional valor and indomitable fighting spirit against almost insurmountable odds reflect the highest credit upon himself and enhance the finest traditions of the United States Naval Service." 

From Sgt. Harrell's Medal of Honor citation, awarded on October 5, 1945.

May you be at peace,

Brian & Melonie

Medal of Honor Monday: Roy W. Harmon

Roy W. Harmon

 

"He was an acting squad leader when heavy machinegun fire from enemy positions, well dug in on commanding ground and camouflaged by haystacks, stopped his company's advance and pinned down 1 platoon where it was exposed to almost certain annihilation.  Ordered to rescue the beleaguered platoon by neutralizing the German automatic fire, he led his squad forward along a draw to the right of the trapped unit against 3 key positions which poured murderous fire into his helpless comrades.  When within range, his squad fired tracer bullets in an attempt to set fire to the 3 haystacks which were strung out in a loose line directly to the front, 75, 150, and 250 yards away. Realizing that this attack was ineffective, Sgt. Harmon ordered his squad to hold their position and voluntarily began a 1-man assault.  Carrying white phosphorus grenades and a sub-machine gun, he skillfully took advantage of what little cover the terrain afforded and crept to within 25 yards of the first position.  He set the haystack afire with a grenade, and when 2 of the enemy attempted to flee from the inferno, he killed them with his sub-machine gun.  Crawling toward the second machinegun emplacement, he attracted fire and was wounded; but he continued to advance and destroyed the position with hand grenades, killing the occupants.  He then attacked the third machinegun, running to a small knoll, then crawling over ground which offered no concealment or cover.  About halfway to his objective, he was again wounded.  But he struggled ahead until within 20 yards of the machinegun nest, where he raised himself to his knees to throw a grenade.  He was knocked down by direct enemy fire.  With a final, magnificent effort, he again arose, hurled the grenade and fell dead, riddled by bullets.  His missile fired the third position, destroying it.  Sgt. Harmon's extraordinary heroism, gallantry, and self-sacrifice saved a platoon from being wiped out, and made it possible for his company to advance against powerful enemy resistance."

From Sgt. Harmon's Medal of Honor citation, awarded on October 2, 1945.

May you be at peace,
Brian & Melonie

Medal of Honor Monday: Harry R. Harr

Harry R. Harr

"He displayed conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity.  In a fierce counterattack, the Japanese closed in on his machinegun emplacement, hurling hand grenades, 1 of which exploded under the gun, putting it out of action and wounding 2 of the crew.  While the remaining gunners were desperately attempting to repair their weapon another grenade landed squarely in the emplacement.  Quickly realizing he could not safely throw the unexploded missile from the crowded position, Cpl. Harr unhesitatingly covered it with his body to smother the blast.  His supremely courageous act, which cost him his life, saved 4 of his comrades and enabled them to continue their mission." 

From Cpl. Harr's Medal of Honor citation, awarded March 28, 1946.

May you be at peace,

Brian & Melonie

Medal of Honor Monday: Dale M. Hansen

Dale Merlin Hansen

 

"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with Company E, Second Battalion, First Marines, First Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa Shima in the Ryūkyū Chain, 7 May 1945.  Cool and courageous in combat, Private Hansen unhesitatingly took the initiative during a critical stage of the action and, armed with a rocket launcher, crawled to an exposed position where he attacked and destroyed a strategically located hostile pillbox.  With his weapon subsequently destroyed by enemy fire, he seized a rifle and continued his one-man assault.  Reaching the crest of a ridge, he leaped across, opened fire on six Japanese and killed four before his rifle jammed.  Attacked by the remaining two Japanese, he beat them off with the butt of his rifle and then climbed back to cover. Promptly returning with another weapon and a supply of grenades, he fearlessly advanced, destroyed a strong mortar position and annihilated eight more of the enemy.  In the forefront of battle throughout this bitterly waged engagement, Private Hansen, by his indomitable determination, bold tactics and complete disregard of all personal danger, contributed essentially to the success of his company's mission and to the ultimate capture of this fiercely defended outpost of the Japanese Empire.  His great personal valor in the face of extreme peril reflects the highest credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service." 

From Pvt. Hansen's Medal of Honor citation, awarded on May 30 1946.

 

May you be at peace,

Brian & Melonie

 

Camp Hansen Okinawa, Japan

Medal of Honor Monday: Pierpont M. Hamilton

Pierpont Morgan Hamilton

"The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Major (Air Corps) Pierpont Morgan Hamilton, United States Army Air Forces, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action above and beyond the call of duty while serving as the Assistant Chief of Staff for Intelligence, Western Task Force, in North Africa during the landings of Operation Torch.  On 8 November 1942, near Port Lyautey, French Morocco, Lieutenant Colonel Hamilton volunteered to accompany Colonel Demas Craw on a dangerous mission to the French commander, designed to bring about a cessation of hostilities.  Driven away from the mouth of the Sebou River by heavy shelling from all sides, the landing boat was finally beached at Mehdia Plage despite continuous machinegun fire from three low-flying hostile planes.  Driven in a light truck toward French headquarters, this courageous mission encountered intermittent firing, and as it neared Port Lyautey a heavy burst of machinegun fire was delivered upon the truck from pointblank range, killing Colonel Craw instantly.  Although captured immediately, after this incident, Lieutenant Colonel Hamilton completed the mission."

From Lt. Col. Hamilton's Medal of Honor citation, awarded on January 23, 1943.

May you be at peace,

Brian & Melonie

Medal of Honor Monday: George J. Hall

George John Hall

"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life above and beyond the call of duty.  Attacking across flat, open terrain under direct enemy observation, S/Sgt. Hall's company was pinned down by grazing fire from 3 enemy machine guns and harassing sniper fire.  S/Sgt. Hall volunteered to eliminate these obstacles in the path of advance.  Crawling along a plowed furrow through furious machinegun fire, he made his way to a point within hand grenade range of 1 of the enemy positions. He pounded the enemy with 4 hand grenades, and when the smoke had died away, S/Sgt. Hall and 2 dead Germans occupied the position, while 4 of the enemy were crawling back to our lines as prisoners.  Discovering a quantity of German potato-masher grenades in the position, S/Sgt. Hall engaged the second enemy nest in a deadly exchange of grenades.  Each time he exposed himself to throw a grenade the Germans fired machinegun bursts at him.  The vicious duel finally ended in S/Sgt. Hall's favor with 5 of the enemy surrendered and 5 others lay dead.  Turning his attention to the third machinegun, S/Sgt. Hall left his position and crawled along a furrow, the enemy firing frantically in an effort to halt him.  As he neared his final objective, an enemy artillery concentration fell on the area, and S/Sgt. Hall's right leg was severed by a shell burst.  With 2 enemy machine guns eliminated, his company was able to flank the third and continue its advance without incurring excessive casualties.  S/Sgt. Hall's fearlessness, his determined fighting spirit, and his prodigious combat skill exemplify the heroic tradition of the American Infantryman." 

From S/Sgt. Hall's Medal of Honor citation, awarded on April 6, 1945.

May you be at peace,

Brian & Melonie

Medal of Honor Monday: Stephen R. Gregg

Stephen Raymond Gregg Sr.

 

"The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Second Lieutenant (Infantry), [then Technical Sergeant] Stephen Raymond Gregg, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life above and beyond the call of duty on 27 August 1944, while serving with Company L, 143d Infantry Regiment, 36th Infantry Division, in action in the vicinity of Montelimar, France.  As his platoon advanced upon the enemy positions; the leading scout was fired upon and Second Lieutenant Gregg immediately put his machine guns into action to cover the advance of the riflemen.  The Germans, who were at close range, threw hand grenades at the riflemen, killing some and wounding seven.  Each time a medical aid man attempted to reach the wounded, the Germans fired at him.  Realizing the seriousness of the situation, Second Lieutenant Gregg took one of the light .30-caliber machine guns, and firing from the hip, started boldly up the hill with the medical aid man following him.  Although the enemy was throwing hand grenades at him, Second Lieutenant Gregg remained and fired into the enemy positions while the medical aid man removed the seven wounded men to safety.  When Second Lieutenant Gregg had expended all his ammunition, he was covered by four Germans who ordered him to surrender.  Since the attention of most of the Germans had been diverted by watching this action, friendly riflemen were able to maneuver into firing positions.  One, seeing Second Lieutenant Gregg's situation, opened fire on his captors.  The four Germans hit the ground and thereupon Second Lieutenant Gregg recovered a machine pistol from one of the Germans and managed to escape to his other machinegun positions.  He manned a gun, firing at his captors, killed one of them and wounded the other.  This action so discouraged the Germans that the platoon was able to continue its advance up the hill to achieve its objective.  The following morning, just prior to daybreak, the Germans launched a strong attack, supported by tanks, in an attempt to drive Company L from the hill.  As these tanks moved along the valley and their foot troops advanced up the hill, Second Lieutenant Gregg immediately ordered his mortars into action.  During the day by careful observation, he was able to direct effective fire on the enemy, inflicting heavy casualties.  By late afternoon he had directed 600 rounds when his communication to the mortars was knocked out.  Without hesitation he started checking his wires, although the area was under heavy enemy small arms and artillery fire. When he was within 100 yards of his mortar position, one of his men informed him that the section had been captured and the Germans were using the mortars to fire on the company.   Second Lieutenant Gregg with this man and another nearby rifleman started for the gun position where he could see five Germans firing his mortars.  He ordered the two men to cover him, crawled up, threw a hand grenade into the position, and then charged it.  The hand grenade killed 1, injured 2, Second Lieutenant Gregg took the other two prisoners, and put his mortars back into action."

From Tech. Sgt. Gregg's Medal of Honor citation, awarded on April 17, 1945.

 

May you be at peace,

Brian & Melonie 

Stephen R Gregg Park in Bayonne, NJ

Medal of Honor Monday: William J. Grabiarz

William J. Grabiarz

"He was a scout when the unit advanced with tanks along a street in Manila, Luzon, Philippine Islands.  Without warning, enemy machinegun and rifle fire from concealed positions in the Customs building swept the street, striking down the troop commander and driving his men to cover.  As the officer lay in the open road, unable to move and completely exposed to the pointblank enemy fire, Pfc. Grabiarz voluntarily ran from behind a tank to carry him to safety, but was himself wounded in the shoulder.  Ignoring both the pain in his injured useless arm and his comrades' shouts to seek the cover which was only a few yards distant, the valiant rescuer continued his efforts to drag his commander out of range.   Finding this impossible, he rejected the opportunity to save himself and deliberately covered the officer with his own body to form a human shield, calling as he did so for a tank to maneuver into position between him and the hostile emplacement.  The enemy riddled him with concentrated fire before the tank could interpose itself.  Our troops found that he had been successful in preventing bullets from striking his leader, who survived.  Through his magnificent sacrifice in gallantly giving his life to save that of his commander, Pfc. Grabiarz provided an outstanding and lasting inspiration to his fellow soldiers." 

From Pfc. Grabiarz's Medal of Honor citation, awarded on December 8, 1945.

May you be at peace,

Brian & Melonie

Grabiarz School of Excellence in Buffalo, NY

Medal of Honor Monday: Donald J. Gott

Donald Joseph Gott

"On a bombing run upon the marshaling yards at Saarbrücken a B-17 aircraft piloted by 1st. Lt. Gott was seriously damaged by antiaircraft fire.  Three of the aircraft's engines were damaged beyond control and on fire; dangerous flames from the No. 4 engine were leaping back as far as the tail assembly.  Flares in the cockpit were ignited and a fire raged therein, which was further increased by free-flowing fluid from damaged hydraulic lines.  The interphone system was rendered useless.  In addition to these serious mechanical difficulties the engineer was wounded in the leg and the radio operator's arm was severed below the elbow.  Suffering from intense pain, despite the application of a tourniquet, the radio operator fell unconscious.  Faced with the imminent explosion of his aircraft, and death to his entire crew, mere seconds before bombs away on the target, 1st. Lt. Gott and his copilot conferred.  Something had to be done immediately to save the life of the wounded radio operator.  The lack of a static line and the thought that his unconscious body striking the ground in unknown territory would not bring immediate medical attention forced a quick decision.  1st. Lt. Gott and his copilot decided to fly the flaming aircraft to friendly territory and then attempt to crash land. Bombs were released on the target and the crippled aircraft proceeded alone to Allied-controlled territory.  When that had been reached, 1st. Lt. Gott had the copilot personally inform all crew members to bail out.  The copilot chose to remain with 1st. Lt. Gott in order to assist in landing the bomber.  With only one normally functioning engine, and with the danger of explosion much greater, the aircraft banked into an open field, and when it was at an altitude of 100 feet it exploded, crashed, exploded again and then disintegrated.  All 3 crew members were instantly killed.  1st. Lt. Gott's loyalty to his crew, his determination to accomplish the task set forth to him, and his deed of knowingly performing what may have been his last service to his country was an example of valor at its highest." 

From 1st Lt. Gott's Medal of Honor citation, awarded on May 16, 1945.

May you be at peace,

Brian & Melonie

The below link is to an amazing article about this aircraft and crews crash and all the causes and aftermath of it.  Check it out here.

Memorial in Hattonville, France

1st Lt. Donald J. Gott Memorial Highway between Arnett and Harman in Oklahoma

Medal of Honor Monday: Nathan G. Gordon

Nathan Green Gordan

"For extraordinary heroism above and beyond the call of duty as commander of a Catalina patrol plane in rescuing personnel of the U.S. Army 5th Air Force shot down in combat over Kavieng Harbor in the Bismarck Sea, February 15, 1944.  On air alert in the vicinity of Vitu Islands, Lt. (then Lt. j.g.) Gordon unhesitatingly responded to a report of the crash and flew boldly into the harbor, defying close-range fire from enemy shore guns to make 3 separate landings in full view of the Japanese and pick up 9 men, several of them injured.  With his cumbersome flying boat dangerously overloaded, he made a brilliant takeoff despite heavy swells and almost total absence of wind and set a course for base, only to receive the report of another group stranded in a rubber life raft 600 yards from the enemy shore.  Promptly turning back, he again risked his life to set his plane down under direct fire of the heaviest defenses of Kavieng and take aboard 6 more survivors, coolly making his fourth dexterous takeoff with 15 rescued officers and men.  By his exceptional daring, personal valor, and incomparable airmanship under most perilous conditions, Lieutenant Gordon prevented certain death or capture of our airmen by the Japanese."

From Lt. Gordon's Medal of Honor citation, awarded in September of 1944.

Thank you for your service and may you be at peace,

Brian & Melonie

Painting of Gordon's bravery with his PBY, "Arkansas Traveler"

 A memorial to Gordon's exploits in Morrilton, Arkansas

Medal of Honor Monday: David M. Gonzales

David M. Gonzales

"He was pinned down with his company.  As enemy fire swept the area, making any movement extremely hazardous, a 500-pound bomb smashed into the company's perimeter, burying 5 men with its explosion.  Pfc. Gonzales, without hesitation, seized an entrenching tool and under a hail of fire crawled 15 yards to his entombed comrades, where his commanding officer, who had also rushed forward, was beginning to dig the men out.  Nearing his goal, he saw the officer struck and instantly killed by machinegun fire.  Undismayed, he set to work swiftly and surely with his hands and the entrenching tool while enemy sniper and machinegun bullets struck all about him.  He succeeded in digging one of the men out of the pile of rock and sand.  To dig faster he stood up regardless of the greater danger from so exposing himself.  He extricated a second man, and then another.  As he completed the liberation of the third, he was hit and mortally wounded, but the comrades for whom he so gallantly gave his life were safely evacuated.  Pfc. Gonzales' valiant and intrepid conduct exemplifies the highest tradition of the military service."

From Pfc. Gonzales' Medal of Honor citation, awarded on December 8, 1945.

Thank you for your sacrifice and may you be at peace,

Brian & Melonie

David M. Gonzales Memorial Interchange

Camp David Gonzales

David M. Gonzales/Pacoima Recreational Center

David M. Gonzales Recruiting Station

Medal of Honor Monday: Robert E. Gerstung

Robert E. Gerstung

"On 19 December 1944 he was ordered with his heavy machinegun squad to the support of an infantry company attacking the outer defense of the Siegfried Line near Berg, Germany.  For 8 hours he maintained a position made almost untenable by the density of artillery and mortar fire concentrated upon it and the proximity of enemy troops who threw hand grenades into the emplacement.  While all other members of his squad became casualties, he remained at his gun.  When he ran out of ammunition, he fearlessly dashed across bullet-swept, open terrain to secure a new supply from a disabled friendly tank.  A fierce barrage pierced the water jacket of his gun, but he continued to fire until the weapon overheated and jammed.  Instead of withdrawing, he crawled 50 yards across cover-less ground to another of his company's machine guns which had been silenced when its entire crew was killed.  He continued to man this gun, giving support vitally needed by the infantry.  At one time he came under direct fire from a hostile tank, which shot the glove from his hand with an armor-piercing shell but could not drive him from his position or stop his shooting.  When the American forces were ordered to retire to their original positions, he remained at his gun, giving the only covering fire.  Finally withdrawing, he cradled the heavy weapon in his left arm, slung a belt of ammunition over his shoulder, and walked to the rear, loosing small bursts at the enemy as he went.  One hundred yards from safety, he was struck in the leg by a mortar shell; but, with a supreme effort, he crawled the remaining distance, dragging along the gun which had served him and his comrades so well.  By his remarkable perseverance, indomitable courage, and heroic devotion to his task in the face of devastating fire, T/Sgt. Gerstung gave his fellow soldiers powerful support in their encounter with formidable enemy forces." 

From T/Sgt. Gerstung's Medal of Honor citation, awarded on September 5, 1945.

Thank you for your service and may you be at peace,

Brian & Melonie