*ENDL, GERALD L.
Rank and organization: Staff Sergeant, U S. Army, 32d Infantry Division. Place
and date: Near Anamo, New Guinea, 11 July 1944. Entered service at:
Janesville, Wis. Birth: Ft. Atkinson, Wis. G.O. No.: 17, 13 March 1945.
Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the
call of duty near Anamo, New Guinea, on 11 July 1944. S/Sgt. Endl was at the head of the
leading platoon of his company advancing along a jungle trail when enemy troops were
encountered and a fire fight developed. The enemy attacked in force under heavy rifle,
machinegun, and grenade fire. His platoon leader wounded, S/Sgt. Endl immediately assumed
command and deployed his platoon on a firing line at the fork in the trail toward which
the enemy attack was directed. The dense jungle terrain greatly restricted vision and
movement, and he endeavored to penetrate down the trail toward an open clearing of Kunai
grass. As he advanced, he detected the enemy, supported by at least 6 light and 2 heavy
machineguns, attempting an enveloping movement around both flanks. His commanding officer
sent a second platoon to move up on the left flank of the position, but the enemy closed
in rapidly, placing our force in imminent danger of being isolated and annihilated. Twelve
members of his platoon were wounded, 7 being cut off by the enemy. Realizing that if his
platoon were forced farther back, these 7 men would be hopelessly trapped and at the mercy
of a vicious enemy, he resolved to advance at all cost, knowing it meant almost certain
death, in an effort to rescue his comrades. In the face of extremely heavy fire he went
forward alone and for a period of approximately 10 minutes engaged the enemy in a heroic
close-range fight, holding them off while his men crawled forward under cover to evacuate
the wounded and to withdraw. Courageously refusing to abandon 4 more wounded men who were
lying along the trail, 1 by 1 he brought them back to safety. As he was carrying the last
man in his arms he was struck by a heavy burst of automatic fire and was killed. By his
persistent and daring self-sacrifice and on behalf of his comrades, S/Sgt. Endl made
possible the successful evacuation of all but 1 man, and enabled the 2 platoons to
withdraw with their wounded and to reorganize with the rest of the company.
