World War II Medal of Honor Recipient. He received the award posthumously (presented to his family) from President Harry S. Truman at the White House on February 26, 1946, for his actions as a private first class with the Antitank Company, 13th Infantry Regiment, 8th Infantry Division, US Army, on April 3, 1945, near Morsbach, Germany. He joined the US Army in July 1941. and following the US entry into World War II, he was sent to the European Theater of Operations. On April 3, 1945, while defending his unit's command post, he demonstrated his courage and valor by smothering the blasts of German-thrown grenades with his body, sacrificing himself to protect those around him. His Medal of Honor citation reads: "Pfc. Wetzel, an acting squad leader with the Antitank Company of the 13th Infantry, was guarding his platoon's command post in a house at Birken, Germany, during the early morning hours of 3 April 1945, when he detected strong enemy forces moving in to attack. He ran into the house, alerted the occupants and immediately began defending the post against heavy automatic weapons fire coming from the hostile troops. Under cover of darkness the Germans forced their way close to the building where they hurled grenades, 2 of which landed in the room where Pfc. Wetzel and the others had taken up firing positions. Shouting a warning to his fellow soldiers, Pfc. Wetzel threw himself on the grenades and, as they exploded, absorbed their entire blast, suffering wounds from which he died. The supreme gallantry of Pfc. Wetzel saved his comrades from death or serious injury and made it possible for them to continue the defense of the command post and break the power of a dangerous local counterthrust by the enemy. His unhesitating sacrifice of his life was in keeping with the U.S. Army's highest traditions of bravery and heroism."
World War II Medal of Honor Recipient. He received the award posthumously (presented to his family) from President Harry S. Truman at the White House on February 26, 1946, for his actions as a private first class with the Antitank Company, 13th Infantry Regiment, 8th Infantry Division, US Army, on April 3, 1945, near Morsbach, Germany. He joined the US Army in July 1941. and following the US entry into World War II, he was sent to the European Theater of Operations. On April 3, 1945, while defending his unit's command post, he demonstrated his courage and valor by smothering the blasts of German-thrown grenades with his body, sacrificing himself to protect those around him. His Medal of Honor citation reads: "Pfc. Wetzel, an acting squad leader with the Antitank Company of the 13th Infantry, was guarding his platoon's command post in a house at Birken, Germany, during the early morning hours of 3 April 1945, when he detected strong enemy forces moving in to attack. He ran into the house, alerted the occupants and immediately began defending the post against heavy automatic weapons fire coming from the hostile troops. Under cover of darkness the Germans forced their way close to the building where they hurled grenades, 2 of which landed in the room where Pfc. Wetzel and the others had taken up firing positions. Shouting a warning to his fellow soldiers, Pfc. Wetzel threw himself on the grenades and, as they exploded, absorbed their entire blast, suffering wounds from which he died. The supreme gallantry of Pfc. Wetzel saved his comrades from death or serious injury and made it possible for them to continue the defense of the command post and break the power of a dangerous local counterthrust by the enemy. His unhesitating sacrifice of his life was in keeping with the U.S. Army's highest traditions of bravery and heroism."
Bio by: William Bjornstad
Inscription
PFC 13 Inf 8 Div
Michigan
Medal of Honor
Gravesite Details
Entered the service from Michigan.
Family Members
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