Edgar H. Lloyd

He broke a stalled attack by destroying five enemy gun nests

Edgar Harold Lloyd earned the Medal of Honor near Pompey, France, on 14 September 1944. A first lieutenant and rifle platoon leader in Company E, 319th Infantry, 80th Infantry Division, he led his men against a strongly defended enemy position.

Lloyd was born in Mississippi County, Arkansas, on 28 February 1922 and grew up near Blytheville, the town to which his award was accredited. He graduated from Blytheville High School and studied agronomy at the University of Arkansas, where he led an infantry ROTC company. Inducted into the Army in April 1943, he was allowed to finish his degree that June. He then trained at Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, received his commission in November, and went overseas in July 1944 with the 80th Infantry Division.

As the platoon approached its objective, machine-gun and rifle crossfire inflicted heavy casualties and disrupted the advance. Lloyd rose and led his men forward, then attacked successive machine-gun positions with his submachine gun and grenades. He personally destroyed five machine guns. His example helped the platoon overrun the defenses and complete its mission.

Lloyd survived the September action but died in France on 16 November 1944. Lieutenant General Lloyd Fredendall presented the posthumous Medal of Honor to his parents in Memphis, Tennessee, on 7 April 1945. Lloyd is buried on the courthouse lawn in Blytheville. His citation preserves the record of leadership that renewed a stalled attack.

Medal of Honor citation

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. On 14 September 1944, Company E, 319th Infantry, with which 1st Lt. Lloyd was serving as a rifle platoon leader, was assigned the mission of expelling an estimated enemy force of 200 men from a heavily fortified position near Pompey, France. As the attack progressed, 1st Lt. Lloyd's platoon advanced to within 50 yards of the enemy position where they were caught in a withering machine-gun and rifle crossfire which inflicted heavy casualties and momentarily disorganized the platoon. With complete disregard for his own safety, 1st Lt. Lloyd leaped to his feet and led his men on a run into the raking fire, shouting encouragement to them. He jumped into the first enemy machine-gun position, knocked out the gunner with his fist, dropped a grenade, and jumped out before it exploded. Still shouting encouragement he went from one machine-gun nest to another, pinning the enemy down with submachine-gun fire until he was within throwing distance, and then destroyed them with hand grenades. He personally destroyed five machine guns and many of the enemy, and by his daring leadership and conspicuous bravery inspired his men to overrun the enemy positions and accomplish the objective in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds. His audacious determination and courageous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States.