World War II Medal of Honor Recipient. Enlisted as a private in the 13th Infantry Regiment, 8th Infantry Division of the United States Army in 1944. While serving with his unit near Brittany France, he disabled an enemy machine gun position and captured several enemy soldiers before being killed. Seven months later, he was awarded the Medal of Honor. The citation read: "For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life above and beyond the call of duty on September 8, 1944, near Les Coates, Brittany, France. When the advance of the flank companies of 2 battalions was halted by intense enemy mortar, machine gun, and sniper fire from a fortified position on his left, PFC Prussman maneuvered his squad to assault the enemy fortifications. Hurdling a hedgerow, he came upon 2 enemy riflemen whom he disarmed. After leading his squad across an open field to the next hedgerow, he advanced to a machine gun position, destroyed the gun, captured its crew and 2 riflemen. Again advancing ahead of his squad in the assault, he was mortally wounded by an enemy rifleman, but as he fell to the ground he threw a hand grenade, killing his opponent. His superb leadership and heroic action at the cost of his life so demoralized the enemy that resistance at this point collapsed, permitting the 2 battalions to continue their advance".
World War II Medal of Honor Recipient. Enlisted as a private in the 13th Infantry Regiment, 8th Infantry Division of the United States Army in 1944. While serving with his unit near Brittany France, he disabled an enemy machine gun position and captured several enemy soldiers before being killed. Seven months later, he was awarded the Medal of Honor. The citation read: "For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life above and beyond the call of duty on September 8, 1944, near Les Coates, Brittany, France. When the advance of the flank companies of 2 battalions was halted by intense enemy mortar, machine gun, and sniper fire from a fortified position on his left, PFC Prussman maneuvered his squad to assault the enemy fortifications. Hurdling a hedgerow, he came upon 2 enemy riflemen whom he disarmed. After leading his squad across an open field to the next hedgerow, he advanced to a machine gun position, destroyed the gun, captured its crew and 2 riflemen. Again advancing ahead of his squad in the assault, he was mortally wounded by an enemy rifleman, but as he fell to the ground he threw a hand grenade, killing his opponent. His superb leadership and heroic action at the cost of his life so demoralized the enemy that resistance at this point collapsed, permitting the 2 battalions to continue their advance".
Bio by: Anne Cady
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PFC 13 INF 8 DIV MASSACHUSETTS
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