Walter J. Will-Margraten, Limburg, Netherlands
Posted by: 
Don.Morfe
N 50° 48.966 E 005° 48.366
31U E 697664 N 5633128
World War II Medal of Honor Recipient for action near Eisern, Germany on March 30, 1945. He was killed in action. He is buried in Netherlands American Cemetery, Margraten, Eijsden-Margraten Municipality, Limburg, Netherlands in Section D, Row 3, Site 32.
Waymark Code: WMXCCA
Location: Limburg, Netherlands
Date Posted: 12/26/2017
Views: 9
He was born in 1923 in Pittsburgh, PA and died on March 30, 1945 in Eisern, Germany. His Medal of Honor information and citation is: *WILL, WALTER J.
• Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, U.S. Army, Company K 18th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division
• Place and date: Near Eisern, Germany, 30 March 1945
• Entered service at: West Winfield, N.Y.
• G.O. No.: 88, 17 October 1945
Citation: He displayed conspicuous gallantry during an attack on powerful enemy positions. He courageously exposed himself to withering hostile fire to rescue 2 wounded men and then, although painfully wounded himself, made a third trip to carry another soldier to safety from an open area. Ignoring the profuse bleeding of his wound, he gallantly led men of his platoon forward until they were pinned down by murderous flanking fire from 2 enemy machineguns. He fearlessly crawled alone to within 30 feet of the first enemy position, killed the crew of 4 and silenced the gun with accurate grenade fire. He continued to crawl through intense enemy fire to within 20 feet of the second position where he leaped to his feet, made a lone, ferocious charge and captured the gun and its 9-man crew. Observing another platoon pinned down by 2 more German machineguns, he led a squad on a flanking approach and, rising to his knees in the face of direct fire, coolly and deliberately lobbed 3 grenades at the Germans, silencing 1 gun and killing its crew. With tenacious aggressiveness, he ran toward the other gun and knocked it out with grenade fire. He then returned to his platoon and led it in a fierce, inspired charge, forcing the enemy to fall back in confusion. 1st Lt. Will was mortally wounded in this last action, but his heroic leadership, indomitable courage, and unflinching devotion to duty live on as a perpetual inspiration to all those who witnessed his deeds.
Armed Service: Army
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