Private Elmer Edward Fryar KIA MOH US Army. 

Private Elmer Edward Fryar KIA MOH US Army.  Born 10 February 1914 in Denver, Colorado. Attended Prospect Valley and Wheatridge High School, and was a farmer and miner prior to entering military service. Served enlistment in the Army, 1932-35, at the age of 18 and joined the Marine Corps in 1939, at the age of 25. Transferred to Paratroops in 1942 and served with Company E, 2nd Battalion, 511th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 11th Airborne Division. Killed in action, at Leyte, on 8 December 1944, at the age of 30. 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. Decorations awarded: American Defense Service Medal, American Theater Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, Asiatic Pacific (PTO) Ribbon with Bronze Star, Philippine Liberation Ribbon, Distinguished Unit Citation (PUC), and Congressional Medal of Honor (MOH) and Purple Heart Medal (PHM). Son of George Franklin and Martha Fryar of Denver.

 

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