Last Living Recipient Of MOH For D-Day Dies

[rice paddy daddy]

Walter Ehlers, the last living recipient of the Medal Of Honor for D-Day has gone to be with his buddies. He was 92.
The word Hero has been used so much it has become almost meaningless.
SSGT Ehlers was a genuine hero. But I'd bet he didn't think so. They never do, you know.
Where do we get such men?

Near the bottom of the news release is a link you can click on to read the official citation for what he did on 9 June, 1944. He exhibited true leadership in the finest tradition of the U.S. Army Infantry: " Follow Me!! "

"Ten - Hut!"
"Pree - sent Arms!"

The rifle squad fires three volleys
The bugler sounds Taps

"Orrr - der Arms!"

Rest in Peace, Soldier. You were faithful to your men.

http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20140221/NEWS/302210012/Walter-Ehlers-last-living-Medal-Honor-recipient-from-D-Day-dies

[Peacekeeper]

Rest in Peace SSGT Ehlers.

[RWalls]

That entire generation achieved great things. Not too many WWII vets left anymore.

[BugMan]

It's disgusting what their children did to this country. Bunch of damn anti American hippies. RIP my Brother. SSGT Ehlers you were a part of what made America great. Men of your caliber will be missed.

[Peacekeeper]

That entire generation achieved great things. Not too many WWII vets left anymore.

I am a member of the Patriot Guard, and it is sad to see all the WWII vets passing away, at least many of them came home as heroes.

Now we are losing many of the Korean War and Vietnam vets.

You can join that group by visiting https://www.patriotguard.org/.

[rice paddy daddy]

I am a member of the Patriot Guard, and it is sad to see all the WWII vets passing away, at least many of them came home as heroes.

Now we are losing many of the Korean War and Viet Nam vets.

You can join that group by visiting https://www.patriotguard.org/.
I have friends who are in the Patriot Guard. And when I help with Wreaths Across America each year, to see those guys and gals escort the semi's of wreaths into our National Cemetary with their big American flags flying proud raises goosebumps. And yes, my eyes get moist, too.
You guys rock! Thanks for what you do.

[Lucky Jim]

Walter Ehlers and M1 Garand in 2003-

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g64/PoorOldSpike/sub2/walt-ehlers-2002_zps82ab0f1b.jpg~original

Ehlers quote in interview-
“The M1 was a lot faster than the ’03. We sure didn’t want to go back to the ’03. Those that trained with the ’03 never complained about the M1, because it had so much more firepower.
Ninety-nine percent loved the M1 over the ’03; it was just more modern. You know young people - they like modern things.
All you had to do was keep ammunition in it and not get your hand caught in it.”

Nearly 60 years later he is still deft and quick as he depresses the follower, swinging his hand up out of the way and letting the bolt slam closed. He never did get M1-thumb, the dreaded bane of rookies who got a thumb caught in the powerful mechanism. He knew many soldiers who did.

“I started with the M1,” he says. “Then I got a carbine in Sicily. They wanted section leaders to carry the carbine.
Out on patrol I decided I’d rather have an M1 rifle. When you shoot someone with a carbine they don’t fall as fast.
Makes a lot of difference, a lot of impact.”

More of the interview- WWII MOH WINNER Walt Ehlers and his M1 Garand (http://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=5052)