Elmer E. Fryar

Protected a withdrawal and shielded his platoon leader

Elmer E. Fryar was born in Denver, Colorado, on 10 February 1914. He served as a private in Company E, 511th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 11th Airborne Division during World War II.

On Leyte in the Philippines on 8 December 1944, his company covered a battalion withdrawal after attacks on a fortified position failed. When an enemy platoon threatened to outflank the company, Fryar moved to higher ground and fired on it. Although wounded, he continued until the attackers withdrew.

He then helped a seriously wounded comrade toward the rear and joined his platoon leader, who was assisting another casualty. When an enemy soldier aimed at the officer, Fryar stepped forward and took the burst of fire himself. Mortally wounded, he threw a grenade that killed the attacker.

His parents received his posthumous Medal of Honor in Denver on 12 May 1945. Fryar is commemorated on the Wall of the Missing at Manila American Cemetery. His citation honors his protection of the withdrawal and his final effort to save his officer.

Medal of Honor citation

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Pvt. Fryar's battalion encountered the enemy strongly entrenched in a position supported by mortars and automatic weapons. The battalion attacked, but in spite of repeated efforts was unable to take the position. Pvt. 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. Pvt. 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. Pvt. Fryar's indomitable fighting spirit and extraordinary gallantry above and beyond the call of duty contributed outstandingly to the success of the battalion's withdrawal and its subsequent attack and defeat of the enemy. His heroic action in unhesitatingly giving his own life for his comrade in arms exemplifies the highest tradition of the U.S. Armed Forces.