Arthur O. Beyer
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Arthur Otto Beyer | |
|---|---|
| May 20, 1909 – February 16, 1965 (aged 55) | |
 Arthur O. Beyer, Medal of Honor recipient |
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| Place of birth | Rock Township, Mitchell County, Iowa |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/branch | United States Army |
| Rank | Sergeant |
| Unit | 603rd Tank Destroyer Battalion |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards | Medal of Honor |
Arthur Otto Beyer (May 20, 1909 – February 16, 1965) was a United States Army soldier and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in World War II.
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[edit] Biography
Beyer joined the Army from St. Ansgar, Iowa, and by January 15, 1945 was serving as a Corporal in Company C, 603rd Tank Destroyer Battalion. On that day, near Arloncourt, Belgium, he single-handedly destroyed two German machine gun positions before working his way along a ridgeline, killing and capturing German soldiers as he went. For these actions, he was awarded the Medal of Honor seven months later, on August 30, 1945.
Beyer rose to the rank of Sergeant before leaving the Army. He died at age 55 and was buried in Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery, St. Ansgar, Iowa.
[edit] Medal of Honor citation
Beyer's official Medal of Honor citation reads:
He displayed conspicuous gallantry in action. His platoon, in which he was a tank-destroyer gunner, was held up by antitank, machinegun, and rifle fire from enemy troops dug in along a ridge about 200 yards to the front. Noting a machinegun position in this defense line, he fired upon it with his 76-mm. gun killing 1 man and silencing the weapon. He dismounted from his vehicle and, under direct enemy observation, crossed open ground to capture the 2 remaining members of the crew. Another machinegun, about 250 yards to the left, continued to fire on him. Through withering fire, he advanced on the position. Throwing a grenade into the emplacement, he killed 1 crewmember and again captured the 2 survivors. He was subjected to concentrated small-arms fire but, with great bravery, he worked his way a quarter mile along the ridge, attacking hostile soldiers in their foxholes with his carbine and grenades. When he had completed his self-imposed mission against powerful German forces, he had destroyed 2 machinegun positions, killed 8 of the enemy and captured 18 prisoners, including 2 bazooka teams. Cpl. Beyer's intrepid action and unflinching determination to close with and destroy the enemy eliminated the German defense line and enabled his task force to gain its objective.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- Arthur O. Beyer at Find A Grave Retrieved on 2008-02-26
- Medal of Honor Recipients - World War II (A-F). Medal of Honor Citations. U.S. Army Center of Military History (July 16, 2007). Retrieved on 2008-02-26.
