Congressional Medal of Honor Society

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World War II - U.S. Army

Arthur O Beyer

Details
  • Rank: Corporal
  • Conflict/Era: World War II
  • Unit/Command:
    Company C,
    603d Tank Destroyer Battalion
  • Military Service Branch: U.S. Army
  • Medal of Honor Action Date: January 15, 1945
  • Medal of Honor Action Place: near Arloncourt, Belgium
Citation
He displayed conspicuous gallantry in action. His platoon, in which he was a tank-destroyer gunner, was held up by antitank, machine-gun, and rifle fire from enemy troops dug in along a ridge about 200 yards to the front. Noting a machine-gun position in this defense line, he fired upon it with his 76-mm gun killing one man and silencing the weapon. He dismounted from his vehicle and, under direct enemy observation, crossed open ground to capture the two remaining members of the crew. Another machine gun, about 250 yards to the left, continued to fire on him. Through withering fire, he advanced on the position. Throwing a grenade into the emplacement, he killed one crew member and again captured the two survivors. He was subjected to concentrated small-arms fire but, with great bravery, he worked his way a quarter mile along the ridge, attacking hostile soldiers in their foxholes with his carbine and grenades. When he had completed his self-imposed mission against powerful German forces, he had destroyed two machine-gun positions, killed eight of the enemy, and captured 18 prisoners, including two bazooka teams. Cpl. Beyer's intrepid action and unflinching determination to close with and destroy the enemy eliminated the German defense line and enabled his task force to gain its objective.
Medal of Honor Recipient Arthur O. Beyer
Medal of Honor Recipient Arthur O. Beyer
Additional Details
  • Accredited to: St. Ansgar, Mitchell County, Iowa
  • Awarded Posthumously: No
  • Presentation Date & Details: August 23, 1945
    The White House, presented by Pres. Harry S. Truman
  • Born: May 20, 1909, Rock Township, Mitchell County, IA, United States
  • Died: February 17, 1965, Near Buffalo, ND, United States
  • Buried: Immanuel Lutheran Church Cemetery (MH), St. Ansgar, IA, United States
 

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