Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

1st Lieutenant (Lieutenant)

Unit:

Company B, 307th Airborne Engineer Battalion, 82nd Airborne Division "All American", U.S. Army

Ben L. Wechsler, 0444881, First Lieutenant, 307th Airborne Engineer Battalion. For heroic conduct in Sicily on 11 July 1943. Having landed by parachute on D-Day, First Lieutenant Wechsler assembled about twenty parachutists and fought throughout the day forward of the advance elements of the 45th Infantry Division until located by the combat team commander. With this small force, he proceeded west until they encountered small arms fire from Biazzi Ridge. Despite this, they drove the enemy from the ridge and dug in to defend it, meanwhile under intense small arms and mortar fire. The seizure of this key terrain feature was of such importance that strong elements of the Hermann Goering Division were committed to regain it, but the small group held out until reinforcements arrived and participated in the day long battle in which the Germans were decisively beaten. First Lieutenant Wechsler was evacuated for serious wounds incurred in this action in which he distinguished himself by his courage, determination and excellent leadership in such an outstanding manner as to bring great credit on himself and the Unites States Airborne Forces.