Wetzel, Walter Cline.

Wetzel, Walter Cline, born 07-06-1919, in Huntington, Cabell County, West Virginia, USA,   to Walter Ernest Wetzel and Josephine, born Kobey Wetzel. They had another son, Harry, and a daughter, Elma. According to the U.S. 1930 Federal Census, by the time Wetzel was 10 years old, he was living in Wayne, Michigan, near Detroit. With a population of 1,568,662 in 1930, Detroit showed a significant difference from Wetzel’s hometown. The bustling urban center had been the capital of the automobile industry since Henry Ford 

began the Ford Motor Company in 1903, thus serving as a valuable economic opportunity for both Wetzel and his father.

Ford was far from the only American businessman who was enticed by Nazi Germany. His rival—General Motors—had a German division of its own and manufactured aircraft parts for the Luftwaffe . Walter joined the Army from Roseville, Michigan in July 1941, and by 03-04-1945 was serving as a private first class in the 13th Infantry Regiment , nickname “First at Vicksburg”  8th Infantry Division. under command of Major General James Preston Marley  On that day, in Birken, Germany, Wetzel smothered the blasts of German-thrown grenades with his body, sacrificing himself to protect those around him. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor ten months later, on 26-02-1946.

The 13th Infantry Regiment, part of the Eighth Infantry Division, was initiated in the late 18th century and served in the American Civil War, where it derived its slogan “First at Vicksburg.” Though later disbanded, it returned in 1940 at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, as war loomed on the horizon.  Two Local War Heroes Who Served Their Nation with Valor,”  accessed 19-02-2016, The Division trained for battle at Fort Jackson and nearby Poinsette Park until the end of 1941, when it joined large-scale army maneuvers on the coast. From there the 13th Infantry moved to Tennessee until November 1942 and then trained at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, for physical conditioning and Camp Laguna, Arizona, before administrative preparation at Camp Forrest, Tennessee, and final arrangements at Camp Kilmer, New Jersey.

The 13th Infantry set sail on 05-12-1943, and despite early mechanical troubles arrived in Belfast on December 16. In Northern Ireland they trained extensively until early July, when on the SS Sea Porpoise the infantry journeyed toward battle-ridden France. Landing at Utah Beach, Wetzel’s captain was Alfred E. Brown of the Anti-Tank Company. The 13th Infantry’s first major offensive effort was in mid-July near Vesly, France, south of La Haye du Puits. Afterwards, the infantry saw action in Cerenees, Ducey, and Renne, the latter of which had been the first inland city in the country to be captured.

Death and burial ground of Wetzel, Walter Cline.

Wetzel was on guard duty at the platoon command post in Birken, Germany on 03-04-1945, age 25. It was still early in the morning when he saw German units advancing toward the house he was guarding. He rushed into the house and warned the men. He immediately opened fire on the enemy troops who returned fire with automatic rifles. In the dark, several Germans were able to approach the house close enough to throw two hand grenades through the window where Wetzel and several others were hiding. Walter Wetzel shouted a warning to the others and without further thought threw himself on the two grenades. When they exploded, Wetzel absorbed the blast with his body. The injuries were such that Wetzel died as a result of his heroism. His sacrifice saved several men, and they were even able to repel the German attack. On 26-02-1946, the Medal of Honor was posthumously awarded to Private First Class Walter C. Wetzel.

Shortly after his death, Wetzel was awarded a Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster, which recognizes members of the United States armed forces killed or wounded in action. He was recommended for and eventually posthumously received the Congressional Medal of Honor, America’s highest recognition for members of the Army. Established in 1862, the Medal of Honor celebrates self-sacrifice and courage. It was issued 26-02-1946, to his wife Dorothy Wetzel, the citation emphasizing Wetzel’s selflessness and bravery during the raid that cost his life but prevented further injury or death in his platoon. In addition, a Macomb County, Michigan, state park bears his name and houses a memorial plaque.

In Baumholder, Germany, the Wetzel Elementary School for American military and civilian personnel is named after Walter Wetzel, so that the memory of his sacrifice will not be lost among the youth growing up in freedom.

Leo Robert Bolick, Private Wetzel’s platoon sergeant, visited his friend’s grave many years later in an emotional reunion. Private Leo Robert Bolick died 02-03-2000 (age 81) in McDowell County, North Carolina,

Another American soldier who sacrificed himself in this way to save his brothers in arms was Joe Eugen Mann, 101st AB 502 D Company private first class,

Walter Wetzel is buried at the American Cemetery in Margraten, Netherlands Amerikaanse Begraafplaats 1, 6269 NA Margraten. Plot N, Row 18, Grave 10.

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