Posted on 02/23/2014 8:52:49 PM PST by AuditTheFed
Today's TopClip features a remarkable tribute for a legendary man.
Radio legend Mark Levin remembered the life and heroism of Walter Ehlers, the last living Medal of Honor recipient from D-Day in WWII, who died late last week at the age of 92.
Rest in peace, Staff Sergeant Ehlers. - TRN
(Excerpt) Read more at toprightnews.com ...
I think he received a battlefield commission by the looks of the crossed rifles on his uniform.
Did anyone catch the total KIAs attributed to Staff Sgt. Ehlers?
Prayers up... RIP
Ehlers killed dozens of enemy soldiers and I think captured at least two alive.
More importantly, he took out many extremely dangerous enemy machine gun and mortar positions, thus saving many American lives.
He was just a brave and effective as Audie Murphy was. Glad his story got the national airing it deserved.
FYI - shown also is the CIB (Combat Infantry Badge), placed at the top of the "ribbons."
Only Officers wear those crossed muskets under the U.S. insignia on their lapels. Enlisted personnel wear brass discs with the branch of service embossed on them.
And the one on the enlisted right side lapel says U.S. and the LEFT side has the branch or arm of service. (MP, engineer, armor, artillery, etc.)
God Bless you Sergeant. Thank you for my freedom.
You are right.My point was about his rank at the time the picture was taken.
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 machinegun fire, he pounced upon the guncrew and put it out of action. Turning his attention to 2 mortars protected by the crossfire of 2 machineguns, 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 machinegun, 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, machinegun, 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.
RIP Soldier.
I do not intend such a scuffle to result.
Thank you again.
No sweat.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.