Elmer A. Ehlers
Sergeant, U.S. Army

Elmer A. Ehlers entered the U.S. Army on 11 April 1941 in Peoria, IL.

On 20 January 1945, Sergeant Elmer A. Ehlers was serving with the 2828th Engineer Combat Battalion, 36th Engineer Combat Regiment, Seventh U.S. Army.

On that day, SGT Ehlers’ unit was in action against German forces. SGT Ehlers’ courageous actions and extraordinary heroism that day, at the cost of his life, earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

Medals and Awards

Distinguished Service Cross
Purple Heart with 3 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters
Army Good Conduct Medal
American Defense Service Medal
American Campaign Medal
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 4 Bronze Stars
World War II Victory Medal

Distinguished Service Cross Citation (Synopsis)

Sergeant Elmer A. Ehlers (ASN: 36052110), United States Army, was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with the 2828th Engineer Combat Battalion, 36th Engineer Combat Regiment, in action against enemy forces on 20 January 1945. Sergeant Ehlers' intrepid actions, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty at the cost of his life, exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

General Orders: Headquarters, Seventh U.S. Army, General Orders No. 334 (1945)

Burial

Sergeant Elmer A. Ehlers is buried at the Epinal American Cemetery and Memorial in Epinal, Departement des Vosges, Lorraine, France, in Plot B, Row 18, Grave 17.

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