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World War II - U.S. Army

Almond Edward Fisher

Details
  • Rank: Second Lieutenant (Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel)
  • Conflict/Era: World War II
  • Unit/Command:
    Company E, 157th Infantry,
    45th Infantry Division
  • Military Service Branch: U.S. Army
  • Medal of Honor Action Date: September 12 - 13, 1944
  • Medal of Honor Action Place: near Grammont, France
Citation
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty on the night of 12[-13 September 1944, near Grammont, France. In the darkness of the early morning 2d Lt. Fisher was leading a platoon of Company E, 157th Infantry, in single column to the attack of a strongly defended hill position. At 2:30 A.M., the forward elememts were brought under enemy machine-gun fire from a distance of not more than 20 yards. Working his way alone to within 20 feet of the gun emplacement, he opened fire with his carbine and killed the entire guncrew. A few minutes after the advance was resumed, heavy machine-gun fire was encountered from the left flank. Again crawling forward alone under withering fire, he blasted the gun and crew from their positions with hand grenades. After a halt to replenish ammunition, the advance was again resumed and continued for one hour before being stopped by intense machine-gun and rifle fire. Through the courageous and skillful leadership of 2d Lt. Fisher, the pocket of determined enemy resistance was rapidly obliterated. Spotting an emplaced machine pistol a short time later, with one of his men he moved forward and destroyed the position. As the advance continued the firefight became more intense. When a bypassed German climbed from his foxhole and attempted to tear an M-1 rifle from the hands of one of his men, 2d Lt. Fisher whirled and killed the enemy with a burst from his carbine. About 30 minutes later the platoon came under heavy fire from machine guns from across an open field. Second Lt. Fisher, disregarding the terrific fire, moved across the field with no cover or concealment to within range, knocked the gun from the position, and killed or wounded the crew. Still under heavy fire he returned to his platoon and continued the advance. Once again heavy fire was encountered from a machine gun directly in front. Calling for hand grenades, he found only two remaining in the entire platoon. Pulling the pins and carrying a grenade in each hand, he crawled toward the gun emplacement, moving across areas devoid of cover and under intense fire to within 15 yards when he threw the grenades, demolished the gun, and killed the guncrew. With ammunition low and daybreak near, he ordered his men to dig in and hold the ground already won. Under constant fire from the front and from both flanks, he moved among them directing the preparations for the defense. Shortly after the ammunition supply was replenished, the Germans launched a last determined effort against the depleted group. Attacked by superior numbers from the front, right, and left flank, and even from the rear, the platoon, in bitter hand-to-hand engagements, drove back the enemy at every point. Wounded in both feet by close-range machine pistol fire early in the battle, 2d Lt. Fisher refused medical attention. Unable to walk, he crawled from man to man encouraging them and checking each position. Only after the fighting had subsided did 2d Lt. Fisher crawl 300 yards to the aid station from which he was evacuated. His extraordinary heroism, magnificent valor, and aggressive determination in the face of point-blank enemy fire is an inspiration to his organization and reflects the finest traditions of the U.S. Armed Forces.
Medal of Honor Recipient Almond E. Fisher
Medal of Honor Recipient Almond E. Fisher
Additional Details
  • Accredited to: Brooklyn, Kings County, New York
  • Awarded Posthumously: No
  • Presentation Date & Details: May 23, 1945
  • Born: January 28, 1913, Hume, Allegany County, NY, United States
  • Died: January 7, 1982, Concord Township, OH, United States
  • Buried: Arlington National Cemetery (MH) (6-8751-2), Arlington, VA, United States
 

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