World War II Honoree

Elton A. Edmiston

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Stoneham, Pennsylvania

Honored By

Mark Edmiston

Relationship

Grand Nephew

POSTHUMOUSLY AWARDED THE SILVER STAR MEDAL FOR GALLANTRY IN ACTION AS COMMANDING OFFICER, COMPANY B, 354TH REGIMENT, 89TH INFANTRY DIVISION, ON 2 OCCASIONS IN GERMANY. ON MARCH 16, 1945 HIS COMPANY RECEIVED HEAVY ENEMY MACHINE GUN FIRE NEAR RIEL; HE TOOK A SQUAD OF RIFLEMEN AND BOLDLY LED THEM IN SILENCING THE HOSTILE WEAPONS. ON MARCH 26, DURING AN ASSAULT CROSSING OF THE RHINE, HE VOLUNTEERED AT GREAT RISK TO HIS OWN LIFE, WENT FORWARD FROM HIS COMPANY'S COVERED POSITION AND FOR 8 HOURS ASSISTED IN THE LOADING OF PERSONNEL FOR THE ASSAULT WAVES. WHEN SEVERE ENEMY FIRE DISRUPTED LAUNCHING OPERATIONS, HE MOVED FROM GROUP TO GROUP CALMING HIS MEN AND INSPIRING THEM TO PUSH AHEAD IN THE CROSSING. AS HE WAS SECURING INFORMATION IN PREPARATION FOR HIS COMPANY'S CROSSING, HE WAS KILLED BY ENEMY 20MM FIRE. 'HIS LEADERSHIP, ORDERLY PLANNING, PERSONAL EXAMPLE OF COURAGE AND DEVOTION TO DUTY SERVED AS AN INSPIRATION TO THE MEN OF HIS COMMAND AND OF HIS ENTIRE BATTALION,' STATES THE CITATION ACCOMPANYING THE AWARD. 'HIS ACTIONS REFLECTED GREAT CREDIT UPON HIM AND WERE IN KEEPING WITH THE BEST TRADITIONS OF THE ARMED FORCES OF THE U.S.'