Franklin E Sigler
| Franklin E. Sigler | |
|---|---|
| Born | November 6, 1924 Glen Ridge, New Jersey |
| Died | January 20, 1995 Newton, New Jersey |
| Status | Survived |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch | United States Marine Corps Reserve |
| Years of service | 1943–1946 |
| Rank | Private |
| Service number | |
| Unit | Company F, 2nd Battalion, 26th Marines, 5th Marine Division |
| Commands held | |
| Battles / wars | Battle of Iwo Jima |
| Awards | Medal of Honor, Purple Heart |
| Relations | |
| Later work | Buried at Arlington National Cemetery |
Franklin Earl Sigler (November 6, 1924 – January 20, 1995) was a United States Marine who received the Medal of Honor, the United States' highest decoration for valor, for his actions during the Battle of Iwo Jima.
Born in Glen Ridge, New Jersey, Sigler served as a rifleman with Company F, 2nd Battalion, 26th Marines, 5th Marine Division.
Medal of Honor
[edit]On March 14, 1945, Sigler took command of his squad after its leader became a casualty and led an assault against an entrenched Japanese gun position that had stalled his company's advance for days, personally destroying the emplacement's crew. Though severely wounded, he refused evacuation, directed fire on enemy cave entrances, and carried three wounded squad members to safety. President Truman presented him the Medal of Honor on October 5, 1945. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
Citation
[edit]For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the Second Battalion, Twenty-sixth Marines, Fifth Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces during the seizure of Iwo Jima in the Volcano Islands on 14 March 1945. Voluntarily taking command of his rifle squad when the leader became a casualty, Private Sigler fearlessly led a bold charge against an enemy gun installation which had held up the advance of his company for several days and, reaching the position in advance of the others, assailed the emplacement with hand grenades and personally annihilated the entire crew. As additional Japanese troops opened fire from concealed tunnels and caves above, he quickly scaled the rocks leading to the attacking guns, surprised the enemy with a furious one-man assault and, although severely wounded in the encounter, deliberately crawled back to his squad position where he steadfastly refused evacuation, persistently directing heavy machine-gun and rocket barrages on the Japanese cave entrances. Undaunted by the merciless rain of hostile fire during the intensified action, he gallantly disregarded his own painful wounds to aid casualties, carrying three wounded squad members to safety behind the lines and returning to continue the battle with renewed determination until ordered to retire for medical treatment. Stouthearted and indomitable in the face of extreme peril, Private Sigler, by his alert initiative, unfaltering leadership and daring tactics in a critical situation, effected the release of his besieged company from enemy fire and contributed essentially to its further advance against a savagely fighting enemy. His superb valor, resolute fortitude and heroic spirit of self-sacrifice throughout reflect the highest credit upon Private Sigler and the United States Naval Service.