The President of the United States
in the name of The Congress
takes pleasure in presenting the
Medal of Honor
to
VAN IERSEL, LUDOVICUS M. M.
Rank and Organization: Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company
M, 9th Infantry, 2d Division. Place and Date: At Mouzon, France, 9 November 1918. Entered
Service At: Glen Rock, N.J. Birth: Holland. G. O. No.: 34, W.D., 1919.
Citation:
While a member of the reconnaissance patrol, sent out at night to ascertain the condition
of a damaged bridge, Sgt. Van Iersel volunteered to lead a party across the bridge in the
face of heavy machinegun and rifle fire from a range of only 75 yards. Crawling alone
along the debris of the ruined bridge he came upon a trap, which gave away and
precipitated him into the water. In spite of the swift current he succeeded in swimming
across the stream and found a lodging place among the timbers on the opposite bank.
Disregarding the enemy fire, he made a careful investigation of the hostile position by
which the bridge was defended and then returned to the other bank of the river, reporting
this valuable information to the battalion commander.
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