Medal of Honor recipient

Slipdigit · #1 (**permalink**) November 29th, 2007, 02:28 AM

The President of the United States
in the name of The Congress
takes pleasure in presenting the
Medal of Honor

to

*METZGER, WILLIAM E., JR.

(Air Mission)

Rank and Organization: Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army Air Corps, 729th Bomber Squadron 452d Bombardment Group. Place and Date Saarbrucken, Germany, 9 November 1944. Entered Service at: Lima, Ohio. Born: 9 February 1922, Lima, Ohio. G.O. No.: 38, 16 May 1945.

Citation:On a bombing run upon the marshaling yards at Saarbrucken, Germany, on 9 November 1944, a B17 aircraft on which 2d Lt. Metzger was serving as copilot was seriously damaged by antiaircraft fire. Three of the aircraft's engines were damaged beyond control and on fire; dangerous flames from the No. 4 engine were leaping back as far as the tail assembly. Flares in the cockpit were ignited and a fire roared therein which was further increased by free-flowing fluid from damaged hydraulic lines. The interphone system was rendered useless. In addition to these serious mechanical difficulties the engineer was wounded in the leg and the radio operator's arm was severed below the elbow. Suffering from intense pain, despite the application of a tourniquet, the radio operator fell unconscious. Faced with the imminent explosion of his aircraft and death to his entire crew, mere seconds before bombs away on the target, 2d Lt. Metzger and his pilot conferred. Something had to be done immediately to save the life of the wounded radio operator. The lack of a static line and the thought that his unconscious body striking the ground in unknown territory would not bring immediate medical attention forced a quick decision. 2d Lt. Metzger and his pilot decided to fly the flaming aircraft to friendly territory and then attempt to crash land. Bombs were released on the target and the crippled aircraft proceeded along to Allied-controlled territory. When that had been reached 2d Lt. Metzger personally informed all crewmembers to bail out upon the suggestion of the pilot. 2d Lt. Metzger chose to remain with the pilot for the crash landing in order to assist him in this emergency. With only 1 normally functioning engine and with the danger of explosion much greater, the aircraft banked into an open field, and when it was at an altitude of 100 feet it exploded, crashed, exploded again, and then disintegrated. All 3 crewmembers were instantly killed. 2d Lt. Metzger's loyalty to his crew, his determination to accomplish the task set forth to him, and his deed of knowingly performing what may have been his last service to his country was an example of valor at its highest.

What the citation fails to mention is that in the last hour of his life, Lt Metzger gave up two parachutes, his own and the plane's only spare, to crew members whose chutes were damaged. He was 22 years old.

The pilot of the aircraft, Donald J. Gott also received the Medal of Honor for his actions on that day.

bigfun · #2 (**permalink**) November 29th, 2007, 01:09 PM

Great article....true Heroes!

scarface · #3 (**permalink**) November 29th, 2007, 05:20 PM

Great thread! I really like the way you formatted it, Jeff. Well done!

I for one would like to see this as a recurring thread.

Thanks for posting it.

-Lou

Slipdigit · #4 (**permalink**) November 29th, 2007, 05:50 PM

Well, thanks Lou.

I actually copied it from a web page. I used it purposefully because I liked the format also. May use it from now on if I can find a good version of the Navy MoH medal to replace the Army medal above.

I wouldn't mind posting MoH citations. Lord knows it is the least we can do.

GPRegt · #5 (**permalink**) January 7th, 2008, 08:07 PM

STRYKER, STUART S.

Rank and organization. Private First Class, U.S. Army, Company E, 513th Parachute Infantry, 17th Airborne Division.

Place and date: Near Wesel, Germany, 24 March 1945.

Entered service at: Portland, Oreg. Birth. Portland, Oreg.

G.O. No.: 117, 11 December 1945.

Citation

He was a platoon runner, when the unit assembled near Wesel, Germany after a descent east of the Rhine. Attacking along a railroad, Company E reached a point about 250 yards from a large building used as an enemy headquarters and manned by a powerful force of Germans with rifles, machineguns, and 4 field pieces. One platoon made a frontal assault but was pinned down by intense fire from the house after advancing only 50 yards. So badly stricken that it could not return the raking fire, the platoon was at the mercy of German machine gunners when Pfc. Stryker voluntarily left a place of comparative safety, and, armed with a carbine, ran to the head of the unit. In full view of the enemy and under constant fire, he exhorted the men to get to their feet and follow him. Inspired by his fearlessness, they rushed after him in a desperate charge through an increased hail of bullets. Twenty-five yards from the objective the heroic soldier was killed by the enemy fusillades. His gallant and wholly voluntary action in the face of overwhelming firepower, however, so encouraged his comrades and diverted the enemy's attention that other elements of the company were able to surround the house, capturing more than 200 hostile soldiers and much equipment, besides freeing 3 members of an American bomber crew held prisoner there. The intrepidity and unhesitating self-sacrifice of Pfc. Stryker were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service.

**************************************************

Stuart Stryker shares his surname with another MoH recipient. Specialist Robert F Stryker was killed near Loc Ninh, Vietnam, on 7 November 1967, whilst covering a Claymore mine with his body, thus saving the lives of several comrades. In February 2002, the US Army unveiled its new Interim Armored Vehicle, for use by the Interim Brigade Combat Teams. The new vehicle was called the “Stryker” in honour of the two men.

Steve W.