Herman Erdman

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Herman Erdman, Technical Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company E, 71st Infantry Regiment, in action against enemy forces on 1 January 1945, near Moronville Farms, France. Discovering an enemy force of five companies about to attack his company Command Post, Sergeant Erdman immediately engaged them, single-handedly. He ran over exposed terrain, jumped into a hole twenty-five yards from the enemy columns and opened fire with rifle and grenades so effectively that he diverted the attack toward his own platoon. Although wounded in the neck, Sergeant Erdman directed artillery and mortar fire with such devastating accuracy that the attack was completely broken. The fighting spirit displayed by Sergeant Erdman and his extraordinary courage exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.