On this day in 1944, Sgt. Alfred Nietzel fought tenaciously to repel a German counter-attack during WWII. Realizing he desperately needed reinforcements, Nietzel ordered his men back to the company command post to secure aid.
army.mil/medalofhonor/v…
army.mil/medalofhonor/v…
Nietzel remained alone in the forward position, using his machine gun to cover their movements and hold off the German advance. After expending his ammunition, Nietzel began firing his rifle into the attacking ranks until he was killed by an enemy grenade.
Nearly 70 years later after his heroic actions, Nietzel’s Distinguished Service Cross was upgraded to the #MedalofHonor by President Obama, March 18, 2014. Robert Nietzel accepted the posthumous award on behalf of his cousin, Sgt. Alfred B. Nietzel.
Listen to Sgt. Nietzel’s official #MedalofHonor citation. In addition to Nietzel, President Obama presented 24 Army veterans with the nation's highest award for valor in one of the largest MoH ceremonies in history. Learn about these 24 heroes: army.mil/medalofhonor/v…
Robert Nietzel accepts the Medal of Honor flag on behalf of his cousin, Sgt. Alfred B. Nietzel, Company H, 2nd Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, during the Pentagon’s Hall of Heroes ceremony, March 19, 2014.
Sadly, no photos of Nietzel were available at the time of his award. In May, the 16th Infantry Regiment Historical Society finally tracked down this missing piece of history when they located his wife’s daughter from a 2nd marriage. She had two photos of Nietzel from her mother.
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