|
|
|
||
Edgar Harold Lloyd |
||||
Engagements: • World War II (1941 - 1945) |
||||
Biography: | ||||
Edgar Harold Lloyd First Lieutenant Edgar Harold Lloyd (28 February 1922 - 16 November 1944) was a U.S. Army officer and a recipient of the U.S. military's highest award for valor, the Medal of Honor, for his heroic actions during World War II. Edgar Harold Lloyd was born into a farm family on 28 February 1922 in Blytheville, AR; he also joined the Army in that town. On 14 September 1944, he was serving as a First Lieutenant in Company E, 319th Infantry Regiment, 80th Infantry Division. Near Pompey, France, that day he single-handedly destroyed five enemy machine gun positions. Lloyd was killed in action two months later and was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions near Pompey. Medal of Honor Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, U.S. Army, Company E, 319th Infantry, 80th Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Pompey, France, 14 September 1944. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. On 14 September 1944, Company E, 319th Infantry, with which 1st Lt. Lloyd was serving as a rifle platoon leader, was assigned the mission of expelling an estimated enemy force of 200 men from a heavily fortified position near Pompey, France. As the attack progressed, 1st Lt. Lloyd's platoon advanced to within 50 yards of the enemy position where they were caught in a withering machinegun and rifle crossfire which inflicted heavy casualties and momentarily disorganized the platoon. With complete disregard for his own safety, 1st Lt. Lloyd leaped to his feet and led his men on a run into the raking fire, shouting encouragement to them. He jumped into the first enemy machinegun position, knocked out the gunner with his fist, dropped a grenade, and jumped out before it exploded. Still shouting encouragement he went from 1 machinegun nest to another, pinning the enemy down with submachine gun fire until he was within throwing distance, and then destroyed them with hand grenades. He personally destroyed 5 machineguns and many of the enemy, and by his daring leadership and conspicuous bravery inspired his men to overrun the enemy positions and accomplish the objective in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds. His audacious determination and courageous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States. Death and Burial First Lieutenant Edgar Harold Lloyd was killed in action on 16 November 1944. He is buried on the Courthouse Lawn in his hometown of Blytheville, AR. |
||||
Honoree ID: 1502 | Created by: MHOH |