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Janson Ernest August

Name:
Ernest August Janson
Rank:
Sergeant Major
Serial Number:
Unit:
United States Marine Corps
Date of Death:
1930-05-14
State:
New York
Cemetery:
Evergreen Cemetery, Brooklyn, New York
Plot:
Row:
Grave:
Decoration:
Congressional Medal of Honor (Army and Navy), Medaille Militaire with Croix
Comments:

A Marine who served in WWI who was awarded the Medal of Honor "For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action with the enemy near Chateau-Thierry, France, 6 June 1918. Immediately after the company to which G/Sgt. Janson belonged, had reached its objective on Hill 142, several hostile counterattacks were launched against the line before the new position had been consolidated. G/Sgt. Janson was attempting to organize a position on the north slope of the hill when he saw 12 of the enemy, armed with 5 light machineguns, crawling toward his group. Giving the alarm, he rushed the hostile detachment, bayoneted the 2 leaders, and forced the others to flee, abandoning their guns. His quick action, initiative and courage drove the enemy from a position from which they could have swept the hill with machinegun fire and forced the withdrawal of our troops." He received many medals not only from America, but also from France, Montenegro, Portugal, and Italy.