PRIVATE FIRST CLASS GEORGE T. RETZLAFF, Infantry, United States Army. For extraordinary heroism in action in Leyte, Philippine Islands, on 28 October 1944. A platoon of Company F, 17th Infantry, was crossing a corn field, when sudden fire was encountered from an enemy strongpoint made up of pillboxes, connecting trenches, and spider holes. Heavy casualties were sustained; and Private Retzlaff, an automatic rifleman, realized the need of bold and aggressive action. Upon his own initiative he moved forward twenty yards, and singlehandedly attacked a trench containing approximately twenty-five enemy riflemen. He had fired two magazines and was inserting a third, when he was hit three times in the right wrist and fell to the ground. Despite the pain of his wounds, he managed to throw three grenades into the enemy position with his left hand, thus diverting fire to himself and enabling his platoon to reorganize, and continue the advance. Through his outstanding heroism in drawing the enemy’s fire to himself at the risk of his life, Private Retzlaff enabled his platoon to continue its attack against the enemy.

Mr. Retzlaff resides in Illinois.