Harry J. Michael

Harry J. Michael
Born	(1922-03-13)March 13, 1922 Milford, Indiana
Died	near Neiderzerf, Germany
Place of burial	Violett Cemetery Goshen, Indiana
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Army
Years of service	1943 - 1945
Rank	Second Lieutenant
Unit	318th Infantry Regiment, 80th Infantry Division
Battles/wars	World War II
Awards	Medal of Honor

Harry J. Michael (March 13, 1922 – March 14, 1945) was a United States Army officer and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in World War II.

Michael joined the Army from his birthplace of Milford, Indiana in 1943, and by March 13, 1945 was serving as a second lieutenant in Company L, 318th Infantry Regiment, 80th Infantry Division. On that day, near Neiderzerf, Germany, Michael single-handedly captured two German machinegun emplacements, reconnoitered the area alone, and led his platoon in two attacks which captured more enemy soldiers and materiel. He was killed while hunting for an enemy sniper the next morning. For his actions, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor a year later on February 13, 1946.

Michael, killed the day after his 23rd birthday, was buried at Violett Cemetery in Goshen, Indiana.

Medal of Honor citation

Second Lieutenant Michael's official Medal of Honor citation reads:

He was serving as a rifle platoon leader when his company began an assault on a wooded ridge northeast of the village of Neiderzerf, Germany, early on 13 March 1945. A short distance up the side of the hill, 2d Lt. Michael, at the head of his platoon, heard the click of an enemy machinegun bolt. Quietly halting the company, he silently moved off into the woods and discovered 2 enemy machineguns and crews. Executing a sudden charge, he completely surprised the enemy and captured the guns and crews. At daybreak, enemy voices were heard in the thick woods ahead. Leading his platoon in a flanking movement, they charged the enemy with hand grenades and, after a bitter fight, captured 25 members of an SS mountain division, 3 artillery pieces, and 20 horses. While his company was establishing its position, 2d Lt. Michael made 2 personal reconnaissance missions of the wood on his left flank. On his first mission he killed 2, wounded 4, and captured 6 enemy soldiers single-handedly. On the second mission he captured 7 prisoners. During the afternoon he led his platoon on a frontal assault of a line of enemy pillboxes, successfully capturing the objective, killing 10 and capturing 30 prisoners. The following morning the company was subjected to sniper fire and 2d Lt. Michael, in an attempt to find the hidden sniper, was shot and killed. The inspiring leadership and heroic aggressiveness displayed by 2d Lt. Michael upheld the highest traditions of the military service.

See also

• List of Medal of Honor recipients