Gino J Merli-Carbondale, PA
Posted by: 
Don.Morfe
N 41° 36.732 W 075° 33.486
18T E 453499 N 4606871
World War II Medal of Honor Recipient for action near Sars la Bruyere, Belgium on September 4-5, 1944. He is buried in Our Mother of Sorrows Catholic Cemetery, Carbondale, PA.
Waymark Code: WMX4AX
Location: Pennsylvania, United States
Date Posted: 11/25/2017
Views: 0
He was born on May 12, 1924 in Scranton, PA and died on June 11, 2002 in Peckville, PA. His Medal of Honor information and citation is: MERLI, GINO J.
• Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, 18th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division
• Place and date: Near Sars la Bruyere, Belgium, 45 September 1944
• Entered service at: Peckville, Pa.
• G.O. No.: 64, 4 August 1945
Citation: He was serving as a machine gunner in the vicinity of Sars la Bruyere, Belgium, on the night of 45 September 1944, when his company was attacked by a superior German force Its position was overrun and he was surrounded when our troops were driven back by overwhelming numbers and firepower. Disregarding the fury of the enemy fire concentrated on him he maintained his position, covering the withdrawal of our riflemen and breaking the force of the enemy pressure. His assistant machine gunner was killed and the position captured; the other 8 members of the section were forced to surrender. Pfc. Merli slumped down beside the dead assistant gunner and feigned death. No sooner had the enemy group withdrawn then he was up and firing in all directions. Once more his position was taken and the captors found 2 apparently lifeless bodies. Throughout the night Pfc. Merli stayed at his weapon. By daybreak the enemy had suffered heavy losses, and as our troops launched an assault, asked for a truce. Our negotiating party, who accepted the German surrender, found Pfc. Merli still at his gun. On the battlefield lay 52 enemy dead, 19 of whom were directly in front of the gun. Pfc. Merli's gallantry and courage, and the losses and confusion that he caused the enemy, contributed materially to our victory.
Armed Service: Army
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