Ernest W. Prussman

Private First Class · U.S. Army

U.S. Army, 13th Infantry, 8th Infantry Division

8 September 1944 · Les Coates, Brittany, France

Branch: U.S. Army
Era: World War II
Home state: Massachusetts
Action: Les Coates, Brittany, France

The citation

Official 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, Private First Class 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.

Sources

U.S. Army Medal of Honor citation index
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