FRYAR, ELMER E. - Medal of Honor Recipient
Rank and organization: Private, U .S. Army, Company E, 511th Parachute
Infantry, 11th Airborne Division. Place and date: Leyte, Philippine Islands,
8 December 1944. Entered service at: Denver, Colo. Birth: Denver, Colo.
G.O. No.: 35, 9 May 1945. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity
at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Pvt. Fryar's
battalion encountered the enemy strongly entrenched in a position supported
by mortars and automatic weapons. The battalion attacked, but in spite
of repeated efforts was unable to take the position. Pvt. Fryar's company
was ordered to cover the battalion's withdrawal to a more suitable point
from which to attack, but the enemy launched a strong counterattack which
threatened to cut off the company. Seeing an enemy platoon moving to outflank
his company, he moved to higher ground and opened heavy and accurate fire.
He was hit, and wounded, but continuing his attack he drove the enemy back
with a loss of 27 killed. While withdrawing to overtake his squad, he found
a seriously wounded comrade, helped him to the rear, and soon overtook
his platoon leader, who was assisting another wounded. While these 4 were
moving to rejoin their platoon, an enemy sniper appeared and aimed his
weapon at the platoon leader. Pvt. Fryar instantly sprang forward, received
the full burst of automatic fire in his own body and fell mortally wounded.
With his remaining strength he threw a hand grenade and killed the sniper.
Pvt. Fryar's indomitable fighting spirit and extraordinary gallantry above
and beyond the call of duty contributed outstandingly to the success of
the battalion's withdrawal and its subsequent attack and defeat of the
enemy. His heroic action in unhesitatingly giving his own life for his
comrade in arms exemplifies the highest tradition of the U.S. Armed Forces.
Browse Records by Era / War / Subject |
