Edward G . Wilkin Edward G . Wilkin ( May 25 , 1917 – April 18 , 1945 ) was a United States Army soldier who was a recipient of the Medal of Honor — the United States military ' s highest decoration — for his actions fighting in World War II . Working ahead of his unit he engaged German forces single - handedly and then aided another unit in clearing casualties to safety in the face of enemy fire . He was killed a month later . Biography . Wilkin joined the Army from Longmeadow , Massachusetts in December 1943 . In March 18 , 1945 he was serving as a Corporal in Company C , 157th Infantry Regiment , 45th Infantry Division . During a firefight on that day , on the Siegfried Line in Germany , Wilkin repeatedly went ahead of his unit and engaged the German forces alone , and later evacuated wounded soldiers from the battlefield despite heavy enemy fire . He was killed in action exactly one month later , and was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor on December 17 , 1945 . Wilkin was buried in Longmeadow Cemetery , Longmeadow , Massachusetts . Medal of Honor citation . Corporal Wilkin ' s official Medal of Honor citation reads : He spearheaded his unit ' s assault of the Siegfried Line in Germany . Heavy fire from enemy riflemen and camouflaged pillboxes had pinned down his comrades when he moved forward on his own initiative to reconnoiter a route of advance . He cleared the way into an area studded with pillboxes , where he repeatedly stood up and walked into vicious enemy fire , storming 1 fortification after another with automatic rifle fire and grenades , killing enemy troops , taking prisoners as the enemy defense became confused , and encouraging his comrades by his heroic example . When halted by heavy barbed wire entanglements , he secured bangalore torpedo es and blasted a path toward still more pillboxes , all the time braving bursting grenades and mortar shells and direct rifle and automatic - weapons fire . He engaged in fierce fire fights , standing in the open while his adversaries fought from the protection of concrete emplacements , and on 1 occasion pursued enemy soldiers across an open field and through interlocking trenches , disregarding the crossfire from 2 pillboxes until he had penetrated the formidable line 200 yards in advance of any American element . That night , although terribly fatigued , he refused to rest and insisted on distributing rations and supplies to his comrades . Hearing that a nearby company was suffering heavy casualties , he secured permission to guide litter bearers and assist them in evacuating the wounded . All that night he remained in the battle area on his mercy missions , and for the following 2 days he continued to remove casualties , venturing into enemy - held territory , scorning cover and braving devastating mortar and artillery bombardments . In 3 days he neutralized and captured 6 pillboxes single - handedly , killed at least 9 Germans , wounded 13 , took 13 prisoners , aided in the capture of 14 others , and saved many American lives by his fearless performance as a litter bearer . Through his superb fighting skill , dauntless courage , and gallant , inspiring actions , Cpl . Wilkin contributed in large measure to his company ' s success in cracking the Siegfried Line . One month later he was killed in action while fighting deep in Germany .