World War II Honoree
Killed in World War II
Elmer A. Ehlers
Branch of Service
U.S. Army
Hometown
Woodford County, Illinois
Honored By
Orville L. Kline
RANK: SERGEANT. INDUCTED INTO THE ARMY APRIL 11, 1941 AT PEORIA, ILLINOIS. SERVED IN THE EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS ASSIGNED TO THE 2828TH ENGINEER COMBAT BATTALION, 36TH ENGINEER COMBAT REGIMENT ATTACHED TO GENERAL PATTON’S U.S. 3RD ARMY. KILLED IN ACTION SATURDAY, JANUARY 20, 1945 DURING THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE, ARDENNES-ALSACE CAMPAIGN. HE IS BURIED IN THE EPINAL AMERICAN CEMETERY LOCATED AT EPINAL (VOSGES), FRANCE. DECORATIONS AND MEDALS: DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS, BRONZE STAR AND THE PURPLE HEART WITH 3 BRONZE OAK LEAF CLUSTERS. THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS WAS AWARDED TO THE SERGEANT POSTHUMOUSLY FOR EXTRAORDINARY HEROISM, EXTREME GALLANTRY AND RISK OF LIFE IN ACTUAL COMBAT WITH AN ARMED ENEMY FORCE. THE BRONZE STAR WAS AWARDED FOR HEROIC AND MERITORIOUS ACHIEVEMENT.