Congressional Medal of Honor Society
Stories of Sacrifice
World War I - U.S. Army
Ludovicus M.m van Iersel
Details
- 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
Citation
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.
Additional Details
- Accredited to: Glen Rock, Bergen County, New Jersey
- Awarded Posthumously: No
- Presentation Date & Details: 1919
France, presented by Gen. John J. Pershing - Born: October 19, 1893, Dussen, Holland (The Netherlands)
- Died: June 9, 1987, Roseburg, OR, United States
- Buried: Arlington National Cemetery (MH) (42-1770), Arlington, VA, United States