Eli Whiteley-College Station, TX
Posted by: Groundspeak Regular Member Don.Morfe
N 30° 36.240 W 096° 18.468
14R E 758115 N 3388805
World War II Medal of Honor Recipient for action at Sigolsheim, France on December 27, 1944. He is buried in College Station Cemetery, College Station TX in Section F, Lot 20, Space 8.
Waymark Code: WMXBGH
Location: Texas, United States
Date Posted: 12/22/2017
Published By:Groundspeak Premium Member NW_history_buff
Views: 1

He was born on December 10, 1913 in Florence TX and died on December 2, 1986 in College Station, TX. He attained the rank of Captain in the U.S. Army. His Medal of Honor information and citation is: WHITELEY, ELI
• Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, U.S. Army, Company L, 15th Infantry, 3d Infantry Division
• Place and date: Sigolsheim, France, 27 December 1944
• Entered service at: Georgetown, Tex.
• G.O. No.: 79, 14 September 1945
Citation: While leading his platoon on 27 December 1944, in savage house-to-house fighting through the fortress town of Sigolsheim, France, he attacked a building through a street swept by withering mortar and automatic weapons fire. He was hit and severely wounded in the arm and shoulder; but he charged into the house alone and killed its 2 defenders. Hurling smoke and fragmentation grenades before him, he reached the next house and stormed inside, killing 2 and capturing 11 of the enemy. He continued leading his platoon in the extremely dangerous task of clearing hostile troops from strong points along the street until he reached a building held by fanatical Nazi troops. Although suffering from wounds which had rendered his left arm useless, he advanced on this strongly defended house, and after blasting out a wall with bazooka fire, charged through a hail of bullets. Wedging his submachinegun under his uninjured arm, he rushed into the house through the hole torn by his rockets, killed 5 of the enemy and forced the remaining 12 to surrender. As he emerged to continue his fearless attack, he was again hit and critically wounded. In agony and with 1 eye pierced by a shell fragment, he shouted for his men to follow him to the next house. He was determined to stay in the fighting, and remained at the head of his platoon until forcibly evacuated. By his disregard for personal safety, his aggressiveness while suffering from severe wounds, his determined leadership and superb courage, 1st Lt. Whiteley killed 9 Germans, captured 23 more and spearheaded an attack which cracked the core of enemy resistance in a vital area.
Armed Service: Army

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Don.Morfe visited Eli Whiteley-College Station, TX 12/18/2021 Don.Morfe visited it