Private Elmer Edward Fryar KIA MOH US Army. 

Private Elmer Edward Fryar KIA MOH United States Army.  Born 10 February 1914 in Denver, Colorado. He was the son of George Franklin and Martha Fryar of Denver. He attended Prospect Valley and Wheatridge High School, and was a farmer and miner prior to entering military service. His first enlistment in the Army was, 1932 until 1935, he had enlisted at the age of 18. In 1939 at the age of 25 he joined the Marine Corps. Fryar transferred to Paratroops in 1942 and served with Company E, 2nd Battalion, 511th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 11th Airborne Division. He was Killed in action, at Leyte, on 8 December 1944, at the age of 30. After several weeks of intense combat, on December 7, 1944, 2nd Battalion, 511^th Parachute Infantry Regiment moved out westward toward Anas to cut the enemy supply trail. 2nd Battalion 511’s LT. Colonel Norman Shipley ordered Company E, 511^th Parachute Infantry Regiment under CPT. Hobart Wade to remain behind for one day to act as battalion rear guard. As dawn broke on December 8, 1944, a stirring E Company was startled when Japanese soldiers opened up with machine guns near Maloney Hill outside Mahonag. With bullets zipping through the banana trees over their heads, the paratroopers smoothly engaged, only to find that once again the enemy held the high ground. When Private Fryar’s company was ordered to cover the battalion’s withdrawal to a more suitable point from which to attack, but the enemy launched a strong counterattack which threatened to cut off the company. Seeing an enemy platoon moving to outflank his company, he moved to higher ground and opened heavy and accurate fire. He was hit, and wounded, but continuing his attack he drove the enemy back with a loss of 27 killed. While withdrawing to overtake his squad, he found a seriously wounded comrade, helped him to the rear, and soon overtook his platoon leader, who was assisting another wounded. While these four were moving to rejoin their platoon, an enemy sniper appeared and aimed his weapon at the platoon leader. Private Fryar instantly sprang forward, received the full burst of automatic fire in his own body and fell mortally wounded. With his remaining strength he threw a hand grenade and killed the sniper. He was awarded the  awarded the Medal of Honor (MOH) American Defense Service Medal, American Theater Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Asiatic Pacific Medal (PTO) with Bronze Star, Philippine Liberation Medal, Distinguished Unit Citation (PUC), and Purple Heart Medal (PHM).

Source:

1- THE FIGHTING MEN OF Colorado – Asiatic-Pacific Theater World War Two – 1948

2- http://www.history.army.mil/moh/wwII-a-f.html

3- http://valor.militarytimes.com/recipient.php?recipientid=800