Official Sponsor of HomeOfHeroes.com

Golden Gate National Cemetery
  C-52-A  

Born:  December 01, 1916 at Decatur, IL

Entered Service in the US Army from Decatur, IL

Earned The Medal of Honor During World War II For heroism January 09 & 10, 1945 at Hatten, France

Master Sergeant Bertoldo was guarding two command posts against the assault of infantry and armored forces and, for more than 48 hours without rest or relief, killed at least 40 hostile soldiers and wounded many more. He set up his gun in the street, for almost 12 hours driving back attacks. Inside the command post he remained steadfast in the face of 88-mm fire from tanks only 75 yards away. When two enemy personnel carriers led by a tank moved toward his position, he calmly waited for the troops to dismount and then mowed down the entire group of more than 20 Germans. He broke up a heavy attack, launched by a self-propelled 88-mm gun covered by a tank and about 15 infantrymen. An 88-mm weapon moved within a few feet of his position placing the muzzle of its gun almost inside the building, and fired, knocking him down and wounding others. Dazed as he was he killed several of the hostile troops as they attempted to withdraw. Disregarding a devastating barrage, he remained at his post and hurled white phosphorous grenades into the advancing enemy troops until they broke and retreated. A tank less than 50 yards away fired at his stronghold, destroyed the machinegun and blew him across the room again but he once more returned to the bitter fight.