M. Waldo Hatler

Infobox Military Person
name= M. Waldo Hatler
born= birth date|1894|1|6
died= death date and age|1967|8|31|1894|1|6
placeofbirth= Bolivar, Missouri
placeofdeath=
placeofburial=


caption=
nickname=
allegiance= United States of America
branch= United States Army
serviceyears=
rank= Sergeant
commands=
unit=
battles= World War I
awards= Medal of Honor
laterwork=

M. Waldo Hatler was a Sergeant in the United States Army during World War I who recipeived the Medal of Honor for heroism near Pouilly, France, November 8, 1918.

Biography

M. Waldo Hatler was born 6 January 1894 at Bolivar, Missouri, elder of two sons of Troy and Rose Hatler. His father was a banker and real estate developer. Waldo graduated University of Michigan Law School in 1914 but never practiced law. Instead, he followed his father into banking and real estate. He was working in his father's bank at Neosho, Missouri when the United States entered World War I. He attempted to secure a commission in the navy but was turned down for medical reasons. He later waived exemption to the draft and was inducted into the army from Neosho. Assigned to Company B, 356th Infantry, he had risen to the rank of sergeant when, just days before the armistice, his regiment was halted by the enemy in its advance toward Germany at the Meuse River near the French village of Poilly. Information relative to enemy strength and disposition on the opposite bank was vitally needed and Hatler was one of several men to volunteer.

M. Waldo Hatler is buried at Grand Army of the Republic Cemetery, Sulpher Springs, Arkansas.

Medal of Honor citation

Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company B, 356th Infantry, 89th Division. Place and date: Near Pouilly, France, 8 November 1918. Entered service at: Neosho, Mo. Born: 6 January 1894, Bolivar, Mo. G.O. No.: 74, W.D., 1919.

Citation:

:When volunteers were called for to secure information as to the enemy's position on the opposite bank of the Meuse River, Sgt. Hatler was the first to offer his services for this dangerous mission. Swimming across the river, he succeeded in reaching the German lines, after another soldier, who had started with him, had been seized with cramps and drowned in midstream. Alone he carefully and courageously reconnoitered the enemy's positions, which were held in force, and again successfully swam the river, bringing back information of great value.

ee also

*List of Medal of Honor recipients
*List of Medal of Honor recipients for World War I

References

* [http://www.cmohs.org/medal.htm/ Congressional Medal of Honor Society] - "official website"

Persondata
NAME= Hatler, M. Waldo
ALTERNATIVE NAMES=
SHORT DESCRIPTION= United States Army Medal of Honor recipient
DATE OF BIRTH=
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