Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Private First Class

Unit:

Company D, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division "All American", U.S. Army

Citation:
Private First Class William G. Lanseadel, 12187268, 504th Parachute Infantry, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action against the enemy on 7 January 1945, in Belgium. Private First Class Lanseadel voluntarily exposed himself to intense sniper and machine gun fire as he single-handedly destroyed enemy positions that threatened to delay his platoon's advance. Fierce and accurate fire pinned his comrades to the ground, but Private First Class Lanseadel, ignoring the devastating fire, closed with the enemy, killing a sniper with his rifle and destroying two machine guns with hand grenades. Although painfully wounded, Private First Class Lanseadel deliberately moved about in the open, drawing fire away from his comrades and forcing the enemy to reveal their positions until he was struck again and fatally wounded. Entered military service from New York.

Awarded posthumously.