Happy Birthday Walt Ehlers, 90!

Posted by Jeff Carter
on May 7th, 2011

Today marks the 90th birthday of a friend of mine. Walt Ehlers. If you don’t know of Mr. Ehlers, you should. He is a true American hero, and someone that we all should aspire to.

As we reflect back on what the Navy SEALS did last weekend, it’s important to note that American forces have been a doing these things for generations. My guess is if you were able to track down a SEAL for an interview, you’d be surprised at their humility. They don’t consider themselves superheroes. They were doing their job and serving their country.

I have heard Walt’s tale of landing at Omaha Beach a few times, and it never gets old to me. It sends chills up my spine. I wonder if I would have had the courage to hop out of a wooden boat in the back half of the first wave and duel for my life with the enemy. Fortunately, because of people like Walt I have never had to find that out.

The words on the page of a citation cannot compare to listening a Medal of Honor recipient tell his story. By the way, they don’t generally enjoy regaling people with the story. Most likely, it was the worst day of their life. But, they do enjoy hearing their fellow soldiers stories!

Here is Walt Ehlers citation:

Rank and organization: Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, 18th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division. Place and dare: Near Goville, France, 9-10 June 1944. Entered service at: Manhattan, Kans. Birth: Junction City, Kans. G.O. No.: 91, 19 December 1944.

Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty on 9-10 June 1944, near Goville, France. S/Sgt. Ehlers, always acting as the spearhead of the attack, repeatedly led his men against heavily defended enemy strong points exposing himself to deadly hostile fire whenever the situation required heroic and courageous leadership. Without waiting for an order, S/Sgt. Ehlers, far ahead of his men, led his squad against a strongly defended enemy strong point, personally killing 4 of an enemy patrol who attacked him en route. Then crawling forward under withering machine gun fire, he pounced upon the gun crew and put it out of action. Turning his attention to 2 mortars protected by the crossfire of 2 machine guns, S/Sgt. Ehlers led his men through this hail of bullets to kill or put to flight the enemy of the mortar section, killing 3 men himself. After mopping up the mortar positions, he again advanced on a machine gun, his progress effectively covered by his squad. When he was almost on top of the gun he leaped to his feet and, although greatly outnumbered, he knocked out the position single-handed. The next day, having advanced deep into enemy territory, the platoon of which S/Sgt. Ehlers was a member, finding itself in an untenable position as the enemy brought increased mortar, machine gun, and small arms fire to bear on it, was ordered to withdraw. S/Sgt. Ehlers, after his squad had covered the withdrawal of the remainder of the platoon, stood up and by continuous fire at the semicircle of enemy placements, diverted the bulk of the heavy hostile fire on himself, thus permitting the members of his own squad to withdraw. At this point, though wounded himself, he carried his wounded automatic rifleman to safety and then returned fearlessly over the shell-swept field to retrieve the automatic rifle which he was unable to carry previously. After having his wound treated, he refused to be evacuated, and returned to lead his squad. The intrepid leadership, indomitable courage, and fearless aggressiveness displayed by S/Sgt. Ehlers in the face of overwhelming enemy forces serve as an inspiration to others.

Walt, if you are betting the derby today, I sure hope you pick the winner.

If you want to learn more about World War Two, and Walt’s compadres, go to this website here.

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