William Adolph Soderman

Private First Class, U.S. Army

Medal of Honor Recipient

World War II

Private First Class William Adolph Soderman (20 March 1912 - 20 October 1980) was a U.S. Army soldier and a recipient of the U.S. military's highest award for valor, the Medal of Honor, for his heroic actions during the Battle of the Bulge in World War II.

William Adolph Soderman was born on 20 March 1912 in West Haven, CT; he also joined the Army from that city. On 17 December 1944, he was serving as a Private First Class in Company K, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division. Near Rocherath, Belgium, that day, Soderman used his bazooka to single-handedly disable three German tanks and attack an infantry platoon. Although seriously wounded, he survived the battle and was awarded the Medal of Honor.

Medal of Honor

Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, Company K, 9th Infantry, 2d Infantry Division.

Place and date: Near Rocherath, Belgium, 17 December 1944.

Citation: Armed with a bazooka, he defended a key road junction near Rocherath, Belgium, on 17 December 1944, during the German Ardennes counteroffensive. After a heavy artillery barrage had wounded and forced the withdrawal of his assistant, he heard enemy tanks approaching the position where he calmly waited in the gathering darkness of early evening until the 5 Mark V tanks which made up the hostile force were within pointblank range. He then stood up, completely disregarding the firepower that could be brought to bear upon him, and launched a rocket into the lead tank, setting it afire and forcing its crew to abandon it as the other tanks pressed on before Pfc. Soderman could reload. The daring bazooka-man remained at his post all night under severe artillery, mortar, and machinegun fire, awaiting the next onslaught, which was made shortly after dawn by 5 more tanks. Running along a ditch to meet them, he reached an advantageous point and there leaped to the road in full view of the tank gunners, deliberately aimed his weapon and disabled the lead tank. The other vehicles, thwarted by a deep ditch in their attempt to go around the crippled machine, withdrew. While returning to his post Pfc. Soderman, braving heavy fire to attack an enemy infantry platoon from close range, killed at least 3 Germans and wounded several others with a round from his bazooka. By this time, enemy pressure had made Company K's position untenable. Orders were issued for withdrawal to an assembly area, where Pfc. Soderman was located when he once more heard enemy tanks approaching. Knowing that elements of the company had not completed their disengaging maneuver and were consequently extremely vulnerable to an armored attack, he hurried from his comparatively safe position to meet the tanks. Once more he disabled the lead tank with a single rocket, his last; but before he could reach cover, machinegun bullets from the tank ripped into his right shoulder. Unarmed and seriously wounded he dragged himself along a ditch to the American lines and was evacuated. Through his unfaltering courage against overwhelming odds, Pfc. Soderman contributed in great measure to the defense of Rocherath, exhibiting to a superlative degree the intrepidity and heroism with which American soldiers met and smashed the savage power of the last great German offensive.

Soderman left the Army while still a Private First Class.

He married Virginia Rae Leake and had two children, Peter William and Susan Louise Soderman. He was proud of a long career working at the VA hospital in West Haven.

Death and Burial

Private First Class William Adolph Soderman died on 20 October 1980 at age 68. He is buried at Oak Grove Cemetery in his hometown of West Haven, CT, in Oakdale Section, Lot A 56.