The Medal of Honor is the highest award that can be bestowed upon an individual serving in the Armed Services of the United States. It is presented for valor in action against an enemy force. The Medal of Honor is generally presented to its recipient by the President of the United States of America in the name of Congress. To date, there are 3,507 recipients of the Medal of Honor.

Our plan is to construct, and preserve for the future, a greater than life-sized bronze monument in the middle of our small town. It will feature both soldiers in their military-era attire, greeting each other.

The Everett Lions Club hopes to honor local Congressional Medal of Honor recipients with our Medal of Honor Monument Project. What an honor that two of the recipients were residents of Bedford County and part of the Everett Community. With your support, we hope to make this project a reality to honor our local Medal of Honor recipients. Below is information on the two individuals that the memorial will feature, and the story of their heroism.

ELLIS R. WEICHT

Ellis R. Weicht was a Sergeant in the U.S. Army. Born in Clearville, PA, he was issued this high honor on July 19, 1945, for commanding an assault squad in Company F’s attack against the strategically important Alsatian town of St. Hippolyte on 3 December 1944. He aggressively led his men down a winding street, clearing the houses of opposition as he advanced. Upon rounding a bend, the group was suddenly brought under the fire of 2 machine guns emplaced in the door and window of a house 100 yards distant. While his squad members took cover, Sgt. Weicht moved rapidly forward to a high rock wall. Fearlessly, he exposed himself to the enemy action and fired 2 clips of ammunition from his rifle. His fire proved ineffective, he entered a house opposite the enemy gun position and firing from a window, killed the 2 hostile gunners. Continuing the attack, the advance was again halted when two 20mm guns opened fire on the company. An artillery observer ordered friendly troops to evacuate the area and then directed artillery fire upon the gun positions. Sgt. Weicht remained in the shelled area and continued to fire on the hostile weapons. When the barrage lifted and the enemy soldiers attempted to remove their guns, he killed 2 crew members and forced the others to flee. Sgt. Weicht continued to lead his squad forward until he spotted a roadblock approximately 125 yards away. Moving to the second floor of a nearby house and firing from a window, he killed 3 and wounded several of the enemies. Instantly becoming a target for heavy and direct fire, he disregarded personal safety to continue his fire, with unusual effectiveness, until he was killed by a direct hit from an antitank gun.

ROBERT W. HARTSOCK

Robert W. Hartsock was a Staff Sergeant with the U.S. Army. Born in Cumberland, MD, he received the Medal of Honor on February 23, 1969, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. S/Sgt. Hartsock, distinguished himself in action while serving as a section leader with the 44th Infantry Platoon. When the Dau Tieng Base Camp came under a heavy enemy rocket and mortar attack, S/Sgt. Hartsock and his platoon commander spotted an enemy sapper squad that had infiltrated the camp undetected. Realizing the enemy squad was heading for the brigade tactical operations center and nearby prisoner compound, they concealed themselves and, although heavily outnumbered, awaited the approach of the hostile soldiers. When the enemy was almost upon them, S/Sgt. Hartsock and his platoon commander opened fire on the squad. As a wounded enemy soldier fell, he managed to detonate a satchel charge he was carrying. S/Sgt. Hartsock, with complete disregard for his life, threw himself on the charge and was gravely wounded. In spite of his wounds, S/Sgt. Hartsock crawled about 5 meters to a ditch and provided heavy suppressive fire, completely pinning down the enemy and allowing his commander to seek shelter. S/Sgt. Hartsock continued his deadly stream of fire until he succumbed to his wounds. S/Sgt. Hartsock’s extraordinary heroism and profound concern for the lives of his fellow soldiers were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on him, his unit, and the U.S. Army.