Remembering The Heroes Of D-Day: U.S. Army SSG Walter Ehlers

On this D-Day, we remember the sacrifices made on the shores of France June 6, 1944. Specifically, we commemorate Army Staff Sergeant Walter Ehlers, along with his brother, Roland, who enlisted in 1940. The brothers both served in North Africa and Sicily before they were called to England to prepare for D-Day. Tragically, Roland was killed almost immediately by a mortar that hit his landing vessel. Walter, unaware of his big brother’s death, led his squadron onto the shores of Omaha Beach. Half of the first wave of troops were either killed or wounded, but all twelve of his men made it into the trenches safely. 

On June 9, Walter’s squadron was near Goville, France. While under heavy fire, he led his men in neutralizing several enemy machine gun and mortar positions. He was wounded, but continued on, even carrying one of his wounded soldiers to safety. He refused to be medically evacuated, preferring to stay and lead his unit.

Several months later, while recovering from yet another wound, Walters read about his Medal of Honor in the military newspaper, “Stars and Stripes.” He didn’t even know he had received it. He finished out his service and was the recipient of three Purple Hearts, the Silver Star, and the Bronze Star. On February 20, 2014, he died at the age of 92. He was the last living Medal of Honor recipient from the D-Day Invasion. 

Today, we remember the sacrifices of those who lived selflessly so we may enjoy the freedom in this life. No one has sacrificed more than Jesus who suffered a death more terrible than we can imagine so that we might have eternal life! We honor these sacrifices by living by the code of selflessness. That is, by living in love. The Bible says:

“Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.”

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭4‬:‭31‬-‭5:1-2

Included also below is the U.S. Army’s Medal of Honor citation for SSG Ehlers.

MEDAL OF HONOR CITATION

SSG Walter Ehlers

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty on 9-10 June 1944 near Goville, France. S/Sgt. Ehlers, always acting as the spearhead of the attack, repeatedly led his men against heavily defended enemy strongpoints, exposing himself to deadly hostile fire whenever the situation required heroic and courageous leadership. Without waiting for an order, S/Sgt. Ehlers, far ahead of his men, led his squad against a strongly defended enemy strongpoint, personally killing four of an enemy patrol who attacked him en route. Then crawling forward under withering machine-gun fire, he pounced upon the gun-crew and put it out of action.

Turning his attention to two mortars protected by the crossfire of two machine guns, S/Sgt. Ehlers led his men through this hail of bullets to kill or put to flight the enemy of the mortar section, killing three men himself. After mopping up the mortar positions, he again advanced on a machine gun, his progress effectively covered by his squad. When he was almost on top of the gun he leaped to his feet and, although greatly outnumbered, he knocked out the position singlehandedly. The next day, having advanced deep into enemy territory, the platoon of which S/Sgt. Ehlers was a member finding itself in an untenable position as the enemy brought increased mortar, machine-gun, and small-arms fire to bear on it, was ordered to withdraw.

S/Sgt. Ehlers, after his squad had covered the withdrawal of the remainder of the platoon, stood up and by continuous fire at the semicircle of enemy placements, diverted the bulk of the heavy hostile fire on himself, thus permitting the members of his own squad to withdraw. At this point, though wounded himself, he carried his wounded automatic rifleman to safety and then returned fearlessly over the shell-swept field to retrieve the automatic rifle which he was unable to carry previously. After having his wound treated, he refused to be evacuated, and returned to lead his squad. The intrepid leadership, indomitable courage, and fearless aggressiveness displayed by S/Sgt. Ehlers in the face of overwhelming enemy forces serve as an inspiration to others.

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