Walter D. Ehlers

Walter David Ehlers (May 7, 1921 – February 20, 2014) was a former United States Army soldier. Ehlers received the Medal of Honor for his actions in World War II.[2]

Walter David Ehlers
Ehlers speaking at a 2007 ceremony commemorating the anniversary of D-Day
Born(1921-05-07)May 7, 1921
Junction City, Kansas
DiedFebruary 20, 2014(2014-02-20) (aged 92)[1]
Long Beach, California
AllegianceUnited States of America
Service/branchUnited States Army
Years of service1940–1945
RankSecond Lieutenant
Unit18th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division
Battles/warsWorld War II
 • Operation Torch
 • Allied invasion of Sicily
 • Normandy landings
AwardsMedal of Honor

Ehlers was the last living Medal of Honor recipient who fought at Omaha Beach on D-Day.[3]

Ehlers was born on May 7, 1921 in Junction City, Kansas. He joined the Army in October 1940.[4]

Ehlers' brother Roland died at Omaha Beach when his landing craft was hit by a mortar shell.[2] Ehlers appeared in the 1955 movie The Long Gray Line, starring Tyrone Power.

Ehlers lived in Orange County, California. He died on February 20, 2014 of kidney failure in Long Beach, California. He was 92 years old.[3]

References
  1. "Sgt. Walter Ehlers, WWII Medal of Honor Recipient, Dies at 92". NBC News.com. Retrieved February 21, 2014.
  2. Collier, Peter (2006). Medal of Honor: Portraits of Valor Beyond the Call of Duty. New York: Workman Publishing Company. p. 76. ISBN 978-1-57965-314-9.
  3. "Walter D. Ehlers, Honored for Role in Normandy Attack, Dies at 92". New York Times.com. Retrieved February 22, 2014.
  4. WWII Army Enlistment Records

Other websites

Media related to Walter D. Ehlers at Wikimedia Commons


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