PRUSSMAN, Ernest W.
	PERSONALIA   Name:  Prussman, Ernest W. Date of birth:  Unknown (Baltimore, U.S.A.) Date of death:  September 8th, 1944 (Les Coates, Brittany, France) Buried on:  Brittany American Cemetery and Memorial Nationality:  American       MEDAL OF HONOR - ARMY (MOH) Rank: Private First Class Unit: 13th. Infantry, 8th. Infantry Division, U.S. Army Awarded on: April 17th, 1945 Action: 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. Details: Awarded posthumously         Provide alterations or additional information Information source(s):   -Jordan, Kenneth N., Yesterday’s Heroes, Schiffer Publishing Ltd., USA, 1996.