PRUSSMAN, ERNEST W. - Medal of Honor Recipient
Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, 13th Infantry,
8th Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Les Coates, Brittany, France,
8 September 1944. Entered service at: Brighton, Mass. Birth: Baltimore,
Md. G.O. No.: 31, 17 April 1945. 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.
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