Dwite H. Schaffner

Dwite H. Schaffner (November 5, 1889 November 22, 1955) was a soldier in the United States Army who received the Medal of Honor for his actions during World War I.

Dwite H. Schaffner
Born(1889-11-05)November 5, 1889
Arroyo, Pennsylvania
DiedNovember 22, 1955(1955-11-22) (aged 66)
Place of burial
Rose Hill Burial Park Akron, Ohio
AllegianceUnited States of America
Service/branchUnited States Army
RankFirst Lieutenant
Unit306th Infantry, 77th Division
Battles/warsWorld War I
AwardsMedal of Honor

Biography

Schaffner was born in Arroyo, Pennsylvania on November 5, 1889 and died November 22, 1955. He is buried in Rose Hill Burial Park Akron, Ohio.

Medal of Honor citation

Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, U.S. Army, 306th Infantry, 77th Division. Place and date: Near St. Hubert's Pavilion, Boureuilles, France, September 28, 1918. Entered service at: Falls Creek, Pa. Birth: Arroya, Pa. G.O. No.: 15, W.D., 1923.

Citation:

He led his men in an attack on St. Hubert's Pavillion through terrific enemy machinegun, rifle, and artillery fire and drove the enemy from a strongly held entrenched position after hand-to-hand fighting. His bravery and contempt for danger inspired his men, enabling them to hold fast in the face of 3 determined enemy counterattacks. His company's position being exposed to enemy fire from both flanks, he made 3 efforts to locate an enemy machinegun which had caused heavy casualties. On his third reconnaissance he discovered the gun position and personally silenced the gun, killing or wounding the crew. The third counterattack made by the enemy was initiated by the appearance of a small detachment in advance of the enemy attacking wave. When almost within reach of the American front line the enemy appeared behind them, attacking vigorously with pistols, rifles, and handgrenades, causing heavy casualties in the American platoon. 1st Lt. Schaffner mounted the parapet of the trench and used his pistol and grenades killing a number of enemy soldiers, finally reaching the enemy officer leading the attacking forces, a captain, shooting and mortally wounding the latter with his pistol, and dragging the captured officer back to the company's trench, securing from him valuable information as to the enemy's strength and position. The information enabled 1st Lt. Schaffner to maintain for 5 hours the advanced position of his company despite the fact that it was surrounded on 3 sides by strong enemy forces. The undaunted bravery, gallant soldierly conduct, and leadership displayed by 1st Lt. Schaffner undoubtedly saved the survivors of the company from death or capture. [1]

See also

References

 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Army Center of Military History.
  1. "SCHAFFNER, DWITE H." Army of Medal of Honor website. 2009-08-03. Retrieved 2009-08-22.
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