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EDSON, MERRITT
AUSTIN
Rank and organization: Colonel, U.S. Marine
Corps. Born: 25 April 1897, Rutland, Vt. Appointed from: Vermont. Other
Navy awards: Navy Cross with Gold Star, Silver Star Medal, Legion of
Merit with Gold Star.
Citation: For extraordinary heroism and conspicuous
intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty as Commanding Officer
of the 1st Marine Raider Battalion, with Parachute Battalion attached,
during action against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands on
the night of 1314 September 1942. After the airfield on Guadalcanal
had been seized from the enemy on 8 August, Col. Edson, with a force
of 800 men, was assigned to the occupation and defense of a ridge dominating
the jungle on either side of the airport. Facing a formidable Japanese
attack which, augmented by infiltration, had crashed through our front
lines, he, by skillful handling of his troops, successfully withdrew
his forward units to a reserve line with minimum casualties. When the
enemy, in a subsequent series of violent assaults, engaged our force
in desperate hand-to-hand combat with bayonets, rifles, pistols, grenades,
and knives, Col. Edson, although continuously exposed to hostile fire
throughout the night, personally directed defense of the reserve position
against a fanatical foe of greatly superior numbers. By his astute leadership
and gallant devotion to duty, he enabled his men, despite severe losses,
to cling tenaciously to their position on the vital ridge, thereby retaining
command not only of the Guadalcanal airfield, but also of the 1st Division's
entire offensive installations in the surrounding area.
EHLERS, WALTER D.
Rank and organization: Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, 18th Infantry,
1st Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Goville, France, 9-10 June
1944. Entered service at: Manhattan, Kans. Birth: Junction City, Kans.
G.O. No.: 91, 19 December 1944.
Citation: 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.
ELROD, HENRY TALMAGE
Rank and organization: Captain, U.S. Marine Corps. Born: 27 September
1905, Rebecca, Ga. Entered service at: Ashburn, Ga.
Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity
at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while attached
to Marine Fighting Squadron 211, during action against enemy Japanese
land, surface and aerial units at Wake Island, 8 to 23 December 1941.
Engaging vastly superior forces of enemy bombers and warships on 9 and
12 December, Capt. Elrod shot down 2 of a flight of 22 hostile planes
and, executing repeated bombing and strafing runs at extremely low altitude
and close range, succeeded in inflicting deadly damage upon a large
Japanese vessel, thereby sinking the first major warship to be destroyed
by small caliber bombs delivered from a fighter-type aircraft. When
his plane was disabled by hostile fire and no other ships were operative,
Capt. Elrod assumed command of 1 flank of the line set up in defiance
of the enemy landing and, conducting a brilliant defense, enabled his
men to hold their positions and repulse intense hostile fusillades to
provide covering fire for unarmed ammunition carriers. Capturing an
automatic weapon during 1 enemy rush in force, he gave his own firearm
to 1 of his men and fought on vigorously against the Japanese. Responsible
in a large measure for the strength of his sector's gallant resistance,
on 23 December, Capt. Elrod led his men with bold aggressiveness until
he fell, mortally wounded. His superb skill as a pilot, daring leadership
and unswerving devotion to duty distinguished him among the defenders
of Wake Island, and his valiant conduct reflects the highest credit
upon himself and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life
for his country.
ENDL, GERALD L.
Rank and organization: Staff Sergeant, U S. Army, 32d Infantry
Division. Place and date: Near Anamo, New Guinea, 11 July 1944. Entered
service at: Janesville, Wis. Birth: Ft. Atkinson, Wis. G.O. No.: 17,
13 March 1945.
Citation: 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, machinegun, 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 machineguns, 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 Iying 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.
EPPERSON, HAROLD GLENN|
Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps
Reserve. Born: 14 July 1923, Akron, Ohio. Accredited to: Ohio.
Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity
at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving
with the 1st Battalion, 6th Marines, 2d Marine Division, in action against
enemy Japanese forces on the Island of Saipan in the Marianas, on 25
June 1944. With his machinegun emplacement bearing the full brunt of
a fanatic assault initiated by the Japanese under cover of predawn darkness,
Pfc. Epperson manned his weapon with determined aggressiveness, fighting
furiously in the defense of his battalion's position and maintaining
a steady stream of devastating fire against rapidly infiltrating hostile
troops to aid materially in annihilating several of the enemy and in
breaking the abortive attack. Suddenly a Japanese soldier, assumed to
be dead, sprang up and hurled a powerful hand grenade into the emplacement.
Determined to save his comrades, Pfc. Epperson unhesitatingly chose
to sacrifice himself and, diving upon the deadly missile, absorbed the
shattering violence of the exploding charge in his own body. Stouthearted
and indomitable in the face of certain death, Pfc. Epperson fearlessly
yielded his own life that his able comrades might carry on the relentless
battle against a ruthless enemy. His superb valor and unfaltering devotion
to duty throughout reflect the highest credit upon himself and upon
the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
ERWIN, HENRY E. (Air Mission)
Rank and organization: Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army Air Corps, 52d Bombardment
Squadron, 29th Bombardment Group, 20th Air Force. Place and date: Koriyama,
Japan, 12 April 1945. Entered service at: Bessemer, Ala. Born: 8 May
1921, Adamsville, Ala. G.O. No.: 44, 6 June 1945.
Citation: He was the radio operator of a B-29 airplane leading
a group formation to attack Koriyama, Japan. He was charged with the
additional duty of dropping phosphoresce smoke bombs to aid in assembling
the group when the launching point was reached. Upon entering the assembly
area, aircraft fire and enemy fighter opposition was encountered. Among
the phosphoresce bombs launched by S/Sgt. Erwin, 1 proved faulty, exploding
in the launching chute, and shot back into the interior of the aircraft,
striking him in the face. The burning phosphoresce obliterated his nose
and completely blinded him. Smoke filled the plane, obscuring the vision
of the pilot. S/Sgt. Erwin realized that the aircraft and crew would
be lost if the burning bomb remained in the plane. Without regard for
his own safety, he picked it up and feeling his way, instinctively,
crawled around the gun turret and headed for the copilot's window. He
found the navigator's table obstructing his passage. Grasping the burning
bomb between his forearm and body, he unleashed the spring lock and
raised the table. Struggling through the narrow passage he stumbled
forward into the smoke-filled pilot's compartment. Groping with his
burning hands, he located the window and threw the bomb out. Completely
aflame, he fell back upon the floor. The smoke cleared, the pilot, at
300 feet, pulled the plane out of its dive. S/Sgt. Erwin's gallantry
and heroism above and beyond the call of duty saved the lives of his
comrades.
EUBANKS, RAY E.
Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company D, 503d Parachute
Infantry. Place and date: At Noemfoor Island, Dutch New Guinea, 23 July
1944. Entered service at: LaGrange, N.C. Born: 6 February 1922, Snow
Hill, N.C. G.O. No.: 20, 29 March 1945.
Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity
at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty at Noemfoor
Island, Dutch New Guinea, 23 July 1944. While moving to the relief of
a platoon isolated by the enemy, his company encountered a strong enemy
position supported by machinegun, rifle, and mortar fire. Sgt. Eubanks
was ordered to make an attack with 1 squad to neutralize the enemy by
fire in order to assist the advance of his company. He maneuvered his
squad to within 30 yards of the enemy where heavy fire checked his advance.
Directing his men to maintain their fire, he and 2 scouts worked their
way forward up a shallow depression to within 25 yards of the enemy.
Directing the scouts to remain in place, Sgt. Eubanks armed himself
with an automatic rifle and worked himself forward over terrain swept
by intense fire to within 15 yards of the enemy position when he opened
fire with telling effect. The enemy, having located his position, concentrated
their fire with the result that he was wounded and a bullet rendered
his rifle useless. In spite of his painful wounds he immediately charged
the enemy and using his weapon as a club killed 4 of the enemy before
he was himself again hit and killed. Sgt. Eubanks' heroic action, courage,
and example in leadership so inspired his men that their advance was
successful. They killed 45 of the enemy and drove the remainder from
the position, thus effecting the relief of our beleaguered troops
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EVANS, ERNEST EDWIN
Rank and organization: Commander, U.S. Navy. Born: 13 August
1908, Pawnee, Okla. Accredited to: Oklahoma. Other Navy awards: Navy
Cross, Bronze Star Medal.
Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity
at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as commanding
officer of the U.S.S. Johnston in action against major units of the
enemy Japanese fleet during the battle off Samar on 25 October 1944.
The first to lay a smokescreen and to open fire as an enemy task force,
vastly superior in number, firepower and armor, rapidly approached.
Comdr. Evans gallantly diverted the powerful blasts of hostile guns
from the lightly armed and armored carriers under his protection, launching
the first torpedo attack when the Johnston came under straddling Japanese
shellfire. Undaunted by damage sustained under the terrific volume of
fire, he unhesitatingly joined others of his group to provide fire support
during subsequent torpedo attacks against the Japanese and, outshooting
and outmaneuvering the enemy as he consistently interposed his vessel
between the hostile fleet units and our carriers despite the crippling
loss of engine power and communications with steering aft, shifted command
to the fantail, shouted steering orders through an open hatch to men
turning the rudder by hand and battled furiously until the Johnston,
burning and shuddering from a mortal blow, lay dead in the water after
3 hours of fierce combat. Seriously wounded early in the engagement,
Comdr. Evans, by his indomitable courage and brilliant professional
skill, aided materially in turning back the enemy during a critical
phase of the action. His valiant fighting spirit throughout this historic
battle will venture as an inspiration to all who served with him.
EVERHART, FORREST E.
Rank and organization: Technical Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company
H, 359th Infantry, 90th Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Kerling,
France, 12 November 1944. Entered service at: Texas City, Tex. Birth:
Bainbridge, Ohio. G.O. No.: 77, 10 September 1945.
Citation: He commanded a platoon that bore the
brunt of a desperate enemy counterattack near Korling, France, before
dawn on 12 November 1944. When German tanks and self-propelled guns
penetrated his left flank and overwhelming infantry forces threatened
to overrun the 1 remaining machinegun in that section, he ran 400 yards
through woods churned by artillery and mortar concentrations to strengthen
the defense. With the 1 remaining gunner, he directed furious fire into
the advancing hordes until they swarmed close to the position. He left
the gun, boldly charged the attackers and, after a 15-minute exchange
of hand grenades, forced them to withdraw leaving 30 dead behind. He
re-crossed the fire-swept terrain to his then threatened right flank,
exhorted his men and directed murderous fire from the single machinegun
at that position. There, in the light of bursting mortar shells, he
again closed with the enemy in a hand grenade duel and, after a fierce
30-minute battle, forced the Germans to withdraw leaving another 20
dead. The gallantry and intrepidity of T/Sgt. Everhart in rallying his
men and refusing to fall back in the face of terrible odds were highly
instrumental in repelling the fanatical enemy counterattack directed
at the American bridgehead across the Moselle River.
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