Take a Look at All those Medals

[Jim Tarleton]

He is Dutch-American Sgt. Louis M. van Iersel. Check out the medal on the upper left row. That is the MOH. Think this kid had some serious cajones?

Is this the most decorated soldier of WWI?

Jim

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[bordercav]

Ludovicus M. M. Van Iersel Army E-05Sergeant Mouzon, France 01918-11-09 November 9, 1918 While a member of the 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 machinegun and rifle fire from a range of only 75 yards (69 m). Crawling alone along the debris of the ruined bridge he came upon a trap, which gave away 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.

From Wikipedia list of Medal of Honor winners from WWI

[JWB217]

According to Wikipedia,Eddie Rickenbacker was most decorated soldier of WW1.Is this so?I don't always trust info from that sight.

[Jim Tarleton]

This man (27+ years old in the picture which was taken in 1920 or later) has the most incredible group of medals I have ever seen, Add the Purple Heart to the list, as one picture shows the fingers on his left hand missing and he is wearing a Wound Chevron. He wouldn't have gotten his PH until 1933. 15+ medals for heroism in one war is absolutely stunning.

What is even more amazing is that there is zip written about this man. They have written books about men who have done less, York for instance. York was in combat for a total of about 48 hours, and this man fought through the entire war with the 2nd Division (either 1st or 2nd in days in combat). He was on the right flank of the Marines during Belleau Woods and in the thick of things at Blanc Mont.

He is buried in Arlington Cemetery, and rightfully so. Tom, he is also one of your NJ boys.

A Marine salutes one brave ARMY MAN!

Semper Fi,
Jim

PS
During WWI, medals were primarily issued to officers, and enlisted men were initially not even eligible for some medals. Old Eddie had a distinct advantage, but I'll put this man up against him on any day. If I remember correctly, Col. Caitlin was given a DSC for getting hit by a stray bullet (his words) 15 minutes into the battle at Belleau Woods while standing on a hill 1/2 mile from the battle itself. What the heck was heroic about that?

[JWB217]

As is common throughout history,the little guy doing the extra-ordinary is most often relegated to the dustbin of miscellaneous information.Maybe with the 100th anniversary of WW1 some of these gallant men will be remembered.Some are awarded medals,some earn them,this fellow sure earned his in spades.

[beachbumbob]

Here's a link to 2 lists of the most decorated US Service members with and without the Medal of Honor.

Top50MostDecorated

Interesting reading - and a work in progress because of reasons already stated.

Bob

[snell]

The source of accurate info on military awards:

Home Of Heroes Home Page


Bob,
isn't it interesting that in those lists there are so few enlisted personnel? With the medal there are only 3 of 50 and with/without there are only 2 of 50. Seems kinda unfair somehow.

Art

[Jim Tarleton]

Here's a link to 2 lists of the most decorated US Service members with and without the Medal of Honor.

Top50MostDecorated

Interesting reading - and a work in progress because of reasons already stated.

Bob

Those lists need updating, as this guy beats out numerous entries in the top 50 of either list.

Jim

[Loy Hamilton]

Those lists need updating, as this guy beats out numerous entries in the top 50 of either list.

Jim

I'm with you Jim. Something aint right about that list..looks like an officer's only list.

[Jim Tarleton]

They must be counting decorations for things other than bravery in combat. I know they dreamed up the DSM (versus DSC) for those who weren't in combat. Some actions are infamous for medal give-aways, like the invasion of Vera Cruz. Smedley Butler tried to give his MOH back, but they wouldn't allow it. If I remember correctly, there were 58 MOH's awarded to the invaders of Vera Cruz, which wasn't heavily defended. Still, combat is combat and bravery is bravery is bravery. Unfortunately, many of those that received those MOH's did precious little to earn them, and those more deserving got nothing. Such is life.

I read somewhere that the "board" wouldn't give Sgt. Daly a MOH for his courageous actions in WWI simply because they didn't want him to have three. What kind of goofy logic is that?

I also read that one WWI MOH was awarded in 1939. What hapened there, they suddenly realized the man was courageous twenty years later? Then you have men like John Kerry, whose awards, at least some of them, don't quite pass the smell test. Ditto for Oliver North in my humble opinion.

Jim