Raymond Zussman

Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army

Medal of Honor Recipient

World War II

Second Lieutenant Raymond Zussman (23 July 1917 - 21 September 1944) was a U.S. Army officer who was posthumously awarded the U.S. military's highest award for valor, the Medal of Honor, for his heroic actions during World War II.

Raymond Zussman was born on 23 July 1917 in Hamtramck, MI, and he joined the Army from Detroit, MI. On 12 September 1944, he was serving as a Second Lieutenant, commanding tanks of the 756th Tank Battalion. During a battle that day in the city of Noroy-le-Bourg, France, Zussman repeatedly went forward alone to scout enemy positions and exposed himself to enemy fire while directing his tank's action. He survived the battle but was killed nine days later. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions at Noroy-le-Bourg.

Medal of Honor

Rank and organization: Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army, 756th Tank Battalion.

Place and date: Noroy le Bourg, France, 12 September 1944.

Citation: On 12 September 1944, 2d Lt. Zussman was in command of 2 tanks operating with an infantry company in the attack on enemy forces occupying the town of Noroy le Bourg, France. At 7 p.m., his command tank bogged down. Throughout the ensuing action, armed only with a carbine, he reconnoitered alone on foot far in advance of his remaining tank and the infantry. Returning only from time to time to designate targets, he directed the action of the tank and turned over to the infantry the numerous German soldiers he had caused to surrender. He located a road block and directed his tanks to destroy it. Fully exposed to fire from enemy positions only 50 yards distant, he stood by his tank directing its fire. Three Germans were killed and 8 surrendered. Again he walked before his tank, leading it against an enemy-held group of houses, machinegun and small arms fire kicking up dust at his feet. The tank fire broke the resistance and 20 enemy surrendered. Going forward again alone he passed an enemy-occupied house from which Germans fired on him and threw grenades in his path. After a brief fire fight, he signaled his tank to come up and fire on the house. Eleven German soldiers were killed and 15 surrendered. Going on alone, he disappeared around a street corner. The fire of his carbine could be heard and in a few minutes he re-appeared driving 30 prisoners before him. Under 2d Lt. Zussman's heroic and inspiring leadership, 18 enemy soldiers were killed and 92 captured.

Death and Burial

Second Lieutenant Raymond Zussman was killed in action on 21 September 1944. He is buried at Machpelah Cemetery in Ferndale, MI.