Paul J. Wiedorfer

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Paul J. Wiedorfer
Image:Replace this image male.svg
Paul J. Wiedorfer, Medal of Honor recipient
Place of birth Baltimore, Maryland
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branch United States Army
Rank Master Sergeant
Unit 318th Infantry Regiment, 80th Infantry Division
Battles/wars World War II
Awards Medal of Honor

Paul J. Wiedorfer is a retired United States Army soldier and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in World War II.

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[edit] Biography

Wiedorfer joined the Army from his birth city of Baltimore, Maryland, and by December 25, 1944 was serving as a private in Company G, 318th Infantry Regiment, 80th Infantry Division. On that Christmas Day, near Chaumont, Belgium, Wiedorfer single-handedly charged across open ground and destroyed two German machine gun emplacements. He was subsequently promoted to Staff Sergeant and, on on June 12, 1945, issued the Medal of Honor for his actions during the battle.

Wiedorfer reached the rank of Master Sergeant before retiring from the Army.

[edit] Medal of Honor citation

Wiedorfer's official Medal of Honor citation reads:

He alone made it possible for his company to advance until its objective was seized. Company G had cleared a wooded area of snipers, and 1 platoon was advancing across an open clearing toward another wood when it was met by heavy machinegun fire from 2 German positions dug in at the edge of the second wood. These positions were flanked by enemy riflemen. The platoon took cover behind a small ridge approximately 40 yards from the enemy position. There was no other available protection and the entire platoon was pinned down by the German fire. It was about noon and the day was clear, but the terrain extremely difficult due to a 3-inch snowfall the night before over ice-covered ground. Pvt. Wiedorfer, realizing that the platoon advance could not continue until the 2 enemy machinegun nests were destroyed, voluntarily charged alone across the slippery open ground with no protecting cover of any kind. Running in a crouched position, under a hail of enemy fire, he slipped and fell in the snow, but quickly rose and continued forward with the enemy concentrating automatic and small-arms fire on him as he advanced. Miraculously escaping injury, Pvt. Wiedorfer reached a point some 10 yards from the first machinegun emplacement and hurled a handgrenade into it. With his rifle he killed the remaining Germans, and, without hesitation, wheeled to the right and attacked the second emplacement. One of the enemy was wounded by his fire and the other 6 immediately surrendered. This heroic action by 1 man enabled the platoon to advance from behind its protecting ridge and continue successfully to reach its objective. A few minutes later, when both the platoon leader and the platoon sergeant were wounded, Pvt. Wiedorfer assumed command of the platoon, leading it forward with inspired energy until the mission was accomplished.

[edit] See also

United States Army Portal

[edit] References