Sgt. Michael B. Ellis’ Medal of Honor citation
The President of the United States in the name of The Congress takes pleasure in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR to
SERGEANT
MICHAEL B ELLIS
ARMY
for service as set forth in the following
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Sergeant Michael B. Ellis (ASN: 56976), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on 5 October 1918, while serving with Company C, 28th Infantry, 1st Division, in action at Exermont, France. During the entire day’s engagement Sergeant Ellis operated far in advance of the first wave of his company, voluntarily undertaking most dangerous missions and single-handedly attacking and reducing machinegun nests. Flanking one emplacement, he killed two of the enemy with rifle fire and captured 17 others. Later he single-handedly advanced under heavy fire and captured 27 prisoners, including two officers and six machineguns, which had been holding up the advance of the company. The captured officers indicated the locations of four other machineguns, and he in turn captured these, together with their crews, at all times showing marked heroism and fearlessness.
Born: Oct. 28, 1894 in St. Louis, Mo…. Enlisted in the Army in 1912… Also awarded the Silver Star, the French Chevalier Legion of Honor, and the Croix de Guerre with Palm (also France), Italy’s Cross of War, Poland’s Cross of War, as well as decorations from Morocco… Ultimately reached the rank of 1st Sgt…. Departed: Dec. 9, 1937… Interred at Arlington National Cemetery