FReeper Canteen ~ Hall of Heroes: Harold O Messerschmidt ~ 19 June 2017

Serving The Best Troops and Veterans In The World !! | StarCMC and The Canteen Crew

[Kathy in Alaska]

For the freedom you enjoyed yesterday... Thank the Veterans who served in The United States Armed Forces.

Looking forward to tomorrow's freedom? Support The United States Armed Forces Today!

~ Hall of Heroes ~

Harold O. Messerschmidt

Info from here.

           

Harold O. Messerschmidt (October 20, 1923 – September 17, 1944) was a United States Army soldier and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in World War II.

Messerschmidt joined the Army from Chester, Pennsylvania in May 1943, and by September 17, 1944 was serving as a Sergeant in Company L, 30th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division. During a German attack on that day, near Radden, France, he led and encouraged his men until everyone in his unit had been killed or wounded. Ignoring his own wounds, he continued to fight the enemy force alone in hand to hand combat until he was killed. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor ten months later, on July 17, 1946.

Messerschmidt, aged 20 or 21 at his death, was buried in Christ Lutheran Church Cemetery, Barnesville, Pennsylvania.

 

Sergeant Messerschmidt's official Medal of Honor citation reads:

He displayed conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty. Braving machinegun, machine pistol, and rifle fire, he moved fearlessly and calmly from man to man along his 40-yard squad front, encouraging each to hold against the overwhelming assault of a fanatical foe surging up the hillside. Knocked to the ground by a burst from an enemy automatic weapon, he immediately jumped to his feet, and ignoring his grave wounds, fired his submachine gun at the enemy that was now upon them, killing 5 and wounding many others before his ammunition was spent. Virtually surrounded by a frenzied foe and all of his squad now casualties, he elected to fight alone, using his empty submachine gun as a bludgeon against his assailants. Spotting 1 of the enemy about to kill a wounded comrade, he felled the German with a blow of his weapon. Seeing friendly reinforcements running up the hill, he continued furiously to wield his empty gun against the foe in a new attack, and it was thus that he made the supreme sacrifice. Sgt. Messerschmidt's sustained heroism in hand-to-hand combat with superior enemy forces was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service.

 

Please remember the Canteen is here to honor, support and entertain our troops and their families.  This is a politics-free zone!  Thanks for helping us in our mission! 

 

[left that other site]

Hi Everybody!

(((HUGS)))

[lightman]

Happy Fathers’ Day!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, ML...((HUGS))...did you have fun at the gig last night?

You and Penny get to walk today? No rain?

[left that other site]

Three of the four sisters showed up...and we all sang!

What a fun night.

The morning was awfully muggy though...not a good day for a walk in the woods.

Tomorrow is another day.

[luvie]

How cool is that!

[radu]

Greetings to all at the Canteen!

To all our military men and women, past and present,

THANK YOU
for your service!

[left that other site]

The only reason one sister was missing is because she lives 6 hours away in the boonies of Maine.

[radu]

Howdy, Kathy.

Hope today hasn’t been too crazy for you.
Did your sister make it home safe and sound?

[radu]

Sounds like y’all had a grand time last night!

[Kathy in Alaska]

And a Happy Father’s Day to you, lightman!!

[radu]

Howdy, LUV.
Have a good day, even if it’s hotter ‘n blazes?

[left that other site]

We did indeed.
Although we missed our lead guitarist terribly (he is SO much a part of the “sound”), he was too sick to perform and stayed home.

So we mobilized, got the equipment there and set up, a cellist friend showed up with her “axe” (real cello, but amplified and with a set of guitar effects pedals...she did a Hendrix style solo on it....I kid you not), a box drum, and three vocalists who have been singing together for half a century.

Can’t beat that.

[radu]

Bummer your lead guitarist was too sick to play but his “replacement” sounds mighty cool. Can’t say I’ve ever seen anyone with a cello with that kind of setup. Sounds wild.

[Kathy in Alaska]

~ Hall of Heroes: Harold O Messerschmidt ~

FR CANTEEN MISSION STATEMENT

Showing support and boosting the morale of
our military and our allies' military
and the family members of the above.
Honoring those who have served before.

CLICK HERE TO FIND LATEST THREADS

CLICK FOR Current local times around the world

CLICK FOR local times in Seoul, Baghdad, Kabul,
New York, Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, Anchorage

To every service man or woman reading this thread.
Thank You for your service to our country.
No matter where you are stationed,
No matter what your job description
Know that we are are proud of each and everyone of you.
To our military readers, we remain steadfast
in keeping the Canteen doors open.

The FR Canteen is Free Republic's longest running daily thread
specifically designed to provide entertainment and moral support for the military.
The doors have been open since Oct 7 2001,
the day of the start of the war in Afghanistan.

We are indebted to you for your sacrifices for our Freedom.

NOTE: CANTEEN MUSIC
Posted daily and on the Music Thread
for the enjoyment of our troops and visitors.

[luvie]

Maybe she’ll come for a visit sometime...6 hours is NOTHING in Texas! LOL....and y’all can have your quartet! :)

[left that other site]

Well...I have a very special birthday coming up in October. Maybe i can get her to come. (I have a nice fold-out couch)

She is the perfect house guest. She cleans things! hahahahaha!

[radu]

I’m still covered with goosebumps from reading about Harold Messerschmidt’s heroism. Seems to happen every week when reading about these brave men. Amazing what some are willing to do, and thank God for them.

[luvie]

Harold O. Messerschmidt
October 20, 1923 – September 17, 1944
United States Army
recipient of the highest decoration
—the Medal of Honor—
for his actions in World War II.
My hero!! RIP....

[luvie]

When you’re done with her, send her to me. I have a LOT of cleaning that needs to be done! LOL!