On Sep 17 1944, twenty year old Sgt. Harold O. Messerschmidt (center) was leading his squad in attack near Raddon-et-Chapendu, France.
Braving heavy machinegun and rifle fire, he moved fearlessly from man to man along his 40-yard squad front, encouraging each to hold against the overwhelming assault of a fanatical foe surging up the hillside.
Despite being knocked on the ground after being hit multiple times by MG fire, he managed to kill 5 enemy soldiers at point blank range as they attempted to finish him off.
He then jumped to his feet, and ignoring his grave wounds, fired his Thompson submachine gun at the enemy killing and wounding many others before his ammunition was spent.
Virtually surrounded and with all of his squad now casualties, he decided to fight alone, using his empty submachine gun as a bludgeon against his assailants.
Spotting 1 of the enemy about to kill a wounded comrade, he killed the German with a single blow. Seeing friendly reinforcements running up the hill, he continued furiously to wield his empty gun against the foe in a new attack until he was killed.
For his actions, he was awarded the the Medal of Honor. #ww2 #hardcore #stayzero #zerofoxtrot