World War I - U.S. Army

Ludovicus M.m van Iersel

• Also Known As: Changed name to: Van Iersel, Louis M.M.
• Rank: Sergeant
• Conflict/Era: World War I
• Unit/Command:
  Company M, 9th Infantry,
  2d Division
• Military Service Branch: U.S. Army
• Medal of Honor Action Date: November 9, 1918
• Medal of Honor Action Place: Mouzon, France

While a member of a reconnaissance patrol, sent out at night to ascertain the condition of a damaged bridge, Sgt. Van Iersel volunteered to lead a party across the bridge in the face of heavy machine-gun and rifle fire from a range of only 75 yards. Crawling alone along the debris of the ruined bridge, he came upon a trap, which gave way and precipitated him into the water. In spite of the swift current he succeeded in swimming across the stream and found a lodging place among the timbers on the opposite bank. Disregarding the enemy fire, he made a careful investigation of the hostile position by which the bridge was defended and then returned to the other bank of the river, reporting this valuable information to the battalion commander.