Edwin G. Masching
Sergeant, U.S. Army

Edwin George Masching entered the U.S. Army on 24 August 1942 at Chicago, IL. He reported for service on 6 September 1942 at Camp Grant, near Rockford, IL, and was sent to Camp Wheeler, GA, for Basic Training. Upon completion, he went to Ipswich, MA, for infantry training.

On 4 October 1944, Sergeant Edwin George Masching was serving with Company I, 3rd Battalion, 143rd Infantry Regiment, 36th Infantry Division, U.S. Army.

On that day, SGT Masching’s unit was in action against German forces in the foothills of the Vosges Mountains near Laveline du Houx, France. SGT Masching’s 3rd Battalion was to the left of the 2nd Battalion and contacted the enemy near houses at the western base of Hill 808. Although the Germans concentrated heavy artillery on the 3rd Battalion area, SGT Masching’s Company I, along with Company L, advanced to the base of Hill 808 where they were confronted by about 150 entrenched German soldiers. While Company L momentarily withdrew, Cannon Company delivered a 12-minute barrage of fire. Company L and other 3rd Battalion units quickly advanced and seized Hill 808. As members of SGT Masching's patrol attempted to move to the rear, German fire was concentrated on them. SGT Mashing rushed toward one of the enemy firing positions firing his Tommy Gun (Thompson Sub-machine Gun) as he ran, which enabled the rest of the patrol to withdraw. SGT Masching’s selfless, courageous actions and extraordinary heroism that day earned him, at the cost of his life, the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Purple Heart
Army Good Conduct Medal
American Campaign Medal
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with Arrowhead Pin and 2 Bronze Stars
World War II Victory Medal
Combat Infantryman Badge

Distinguished Service Cross Citation (Synopsis)

Sergeant Edwin G. Masching (ASN: 36366180), 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 143d Infantry Regiment, 36th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 4 October 1944, in France. Sergeant Masching's 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, the 36th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.

Headquarters, European Theater of Operations, U.S. Army, General Orders No. 64 (1945)

Burial

Sergeant Edwin George Masching is buried at the Epinal American Cemetery and Memorial in Epinal, Departement des Vosges, Lorraine, France, in Plot A, Row 25, Grave 9.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56374007/edwin-g-masching