Walter D. Ehlers - Riverside, CA - Specific Veteran Memorials on Waymarking.com

Photos taken on 26 May 2023. The memorial consist of a black marble memorial elevated by about 4 feet which contains a description and photo of the individual.

The plaque says, "Staff Sergeant, 19th Infantry,

1st Infantry Division

United States Army

G.O. 91, 19th December 1944

Citation:

Near Goville, France June 9-10, 1944

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the all of duty on 9-10 June 1944, near Goville, France. S/Sgt. Ehlers, always acting as the spearhead of the attack, repeatedly lead 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 mean, led his squad against a strongly defended enemy strong point, personally killing of an enemy patrol who attacked him en route. he crawling forward under withering machinegun fire, he pounced upon the gun crew and put it out of action. Turing 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 the top of the gun he leaped to his feet and, although greatly outnumbered, eh 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, machinegune, 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 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 rifle which he was unable to carry previously. After heaving this 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.

Section 20A Site 644"

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