b. 13/03/1922 Benton, Indiana. d. 14/03/1945 near Niederzerf, Germany.
DATE OF MOH ACTION: 14/03/1945 near Niederzerf, Germany.
Harry J Michael MOH
Michael joined the Army from his birthplace of Milford, Indiana in 1943, and by March 13, 1945 was serving as a second lieutenant in Company L, 318th Infantry Regiment, 80th Infantry Division. On that day, near Neiderzerf, Germany, Michael single-handedly captured two German machinegun emplacements, reconnoitred the area alone, and led his platoon in two attacks which captured more enemy soldiers and materiel. He was killed while hunting for an enemy sniper the next morning. For his actions, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor a year later on February 13, 1946.
Michael, killed the day after his 23rd birthday, was buried at Violett Cemetery in Goshen, Indiana. The ROTC drill floor at the Purdue University Armoury was dedicated to Lt. Michaels in 1995, and his Medal of Honor is on display in the Armoury.
MOH CITATION:
He was serving as a rifle platoon leader when his company began an assault on a wooded ridge northeast of the village of Neiderzerf, Germany, early on 13 March 1945. A short distance up the side of the hill, 2d Lt. Michael, at the head of his platoon, heard the click of an enemy machine-gun bolt. Quietly halting the company, he silently moved off into the woods and discovered two enemy machine guns and crews. Executing a sudden charge, he completely surprised the enemy and captured the guns and crews. At daybreak, enemy voices were heard in the thick woods ahead. Leading his platoon in a flanking movement, they charged the enemy with hand grenades and, after a bitter fight, captured 25 members of an SS mountain division, three artillery pieces, and 20 horses. While his company was establishing its position, 2d Lt. Michael made two personal reconnaissance missions of the wood on his left flank. On his first mission he killed two, wounded four, and captured six enemy soldiers singlehandedly. On the second mission he captured seven prisoners. During the afternoon he led his platoon on a frontal assault of a line of enemy pillboxes, successfully capturing the objective, killing 10, and capturing 30 prisoners. The following morning the company was subjected to sniper fire and 2d Lt. Michael, in an attempt to find the hidden sniper, was shot and killed. The inspiring leadership and heroic agressiveness displayed by 2d Lt. Michael upheld the highest traditions of the military service.
BURIAL LOCATION: VIOLETT CEMETERY, GOSHEN, INDIANA.
LOT 329, SPACE G.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: PURDUE UNIVERSITY ARMOURY, PURDUE UNIVERSITY, WEST LAFAYETTE, INDIANA.
