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First Name: Eli

Last Name: Whiteley

Birthplace: Florence, TX, USA

Gender: Male

Branch: Army (1784 - present)



Home of Record: Georgetown, TX
Middle Name: Lamar



Date of Birth: 10 December 1913

Date of Death: 02 December 1986

Rank: Captain

Years Served: 1942 - 1945
Eli Lamar Whiteley

   
Engagements:
•  World War II (1941 - 1945)

Biography:

Eli Lamar Whiteley

Captain, U.S. Army

Medal of Honor Recipient

World War II

Captain Eli Lamar Whiteley (10 December 1913 - 2 December 1986) was a U.S. Army officer who received the U.S. military's highest award for valor, the Medal of Honor, for his heroic actions during World War II.

Eli Lamar Whiteley was born on 10 December 1913 in Florence, TX. He entered the Army at Georgetown, TX. On 27 December 1944 he was serving as a First Lieutenant with Company L, 15th Infantry, 3rd Infantry Division. Near Sigolsheim, France, that day Whiteley killed 9 Germans, captured 23 more and spearheaded an attack which cracked the core of enemy resistance in a vital area. For his heroism, he received the Medal of Honor.

Medal of Honor

Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, U.S. Army, Company L, 15th Infantry, 3rd Infantry Division.

Place and date: Sigolsheim, France, 27 December 1944.

Citation: While leading his platoon on 27 December 1944, in savage house-to-house fighting through the fortress town of Sigolsheim, France, he attacked a building through a street swept by withering mortar and automatic weapons fire. He was hit and severely wounded in the arm and shoulder; but he charged into the house alone and killed its 2 defenders. Hurling smoke and fragmentation grenades before him, he reached the next house and stormed inside, killing 2 and capturing 11 of the enemy. He continued leading his platoon in the extremely dangerous task of clearing hostile troops from strong points along the street until he reached a building held by fanatical Nazi troops. Although suffering from wounds which had rendered his left arm useless, he advanced on this strongly defended house, and after blasting out a wall with bazooka fire, charged through a hail of bullets. Wedging his submachinegun under his uninjured arm, he rushed into the house through the hole torn by his rockets, killed 5 of the enemy and forced the remaining 12 to surrender. As he emerged to continue his fearless attack, he was again hit and critically wounded. In agony and with 1 eye pierced by a shell fragment, he shouted for his men to follow him to the next house. He was determined to stay in the fighting, and remained at the head of his platoon until forcibly evacuated. By his disregard for personal safety, his aggressiveness while suffering from severe wounds, his determined leadership and superb courage, 1st Lt. Whiteley killed 9 Germans, captured 23 more and spearheaded an attack which cracked the core of enemy resistance in a vital area.

Death and Burial

Captain Eli Lamar Whiteley died on 2 December 1986 at age 72. He is buried at College Station Cemetery in College Station, Brazos County, TX, in Section F, Lot 20, Space 8.



Honoree ID: 1708   Created by: MHOH

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