Ernest W. Prussman-Bel Orient, France
Posted by: Groundspeak Regular Member Don.Morfe
N 48° 31.104 W 001° 18.192
30U E 625298 N 5375310
World War II Medal of Honor Recipient for action near Les Coates, Brittany, France on September 8, 1944. He was KIA. He is buried in Brittany American Cemetery, Bel Orient, Montjoie, Saint Martin, France in Plot A, Row 12, Grave 14.
Waymark Code: WM11698
Location: Normandie, France
Date Posted: 08/23/2019
Published By:Groundspeak Premium Member NW_history_buff
Views: 12

He was born in 1921 in Baltimore, MD and he was killed in action on September 8, 1944 in Les Coates, Brittany, France. His Medal of Honor information and citation is:
ERNEST W. PRUSSMAN
Rank: Private First Class
Organization: U.S. Army
Company:
Division: 13th Infantry, 8th Infantry Division
Born: Baltimore, Md.
Departed: Yes
Entered Service At: Brighton, Mass.
G.O. Number: 31
Date of Issue: 04/17/1945
Accredited To:
Place / Date: Near Les Coates, Brittany, France, 8 September 1944

Citation
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life above and beyond the call of duty on 8 September 1944, near Les Coates, Brittany, France. When the advance of the flank companies of 2 battalions was halted by intense enemy mortar, machinegun, and sniper fire from a fortified position on his left, Pfc. Prussman maneuvered his squad to assault the enemy fortifications. Hurdling a hedgerow, he came upon 2 enemy riflemen whom he disarmed. After leading his squad across an open field to the next hedgerow, he advanced to a machinegun position, destroyed the gun, captured its crew and 2 riflemen. Again advancing ahead of his squad in the assault, he was mortally wounded by an enemy rifleman, but as he fell to the ground he threw a handgrenade, killing his opponent. His superb leadership and heroic action at the cost of his life so demoralized the enemy that resistance at this point collapsed, permitting the 2 battalions to continue their advance.

Photo by Roy Webb and posted on findagrave.com.

*SPECIAL EXCEPTION WAYMARK* This category made the decision to approve this waymark based on the research and partnerships between the submitter, Don.Morfe, and individuals who gave permission for their photos of Medal of Honor resting places to be used in this community. Although the vision and philosophy of the Waymarking body is to promote in-person visits and photo documentation, special circumstances can be made on a case-by-case basis such as this submission. We appreciate the fact that Don.Morfe spent over 20 years visiting more than 2,900 Medal of Honor resting places and has documented them in this category with personal photos the past 18 months. He recently took it upon himself to document many more Medal of Honor resting places around the world that he could not visit in person. He reached out to individuals on FindaGrave.com and elsewhere and received permission to use their photos, created write-ups and submitted them here for approval. A compromise was made to allow his submissions here in order to gain a sense of appreciation to those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms. Thank you, Don, for your tireless efforts and contributions to this category and to the Waymarking community!

Armed Service: Army

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