Prussman, Ernest W.

Date of birth:: 1921 (Baltimore/Maryland, United States)
Date of death:: September 8th, 1944 (Loscoat/Finistère département, Brittany, France)
Buried on:: Brittany American Cemetery and Memorial
Plot: A. Row: 12. Grave: 14.
Nationality:: American (1776 - present, Republic)

Biography

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Medal of Honor - Army (MoH)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Private 1st Class
Unit:: Company F, 13th Infantry Regiment, 8th Infantry Division "Pathfinder", U.S. Army
Awarded on:: April 17th, 1945

"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life above and beyond the call of duty on 8 September 1944, near Loscoat, 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."

Awarded posthumously.