M. Waldo Hatler

Sergeant, U.S. Army

Medal of Honor Recipient

World War I

Sergeant M. Waldo Hatler (6 January 1894 - 31 August 1967) was U.S. Army soldier who received the U.S. military's highest award for valor, the Medal of Honor, for his heroic actions during World War I.

M. Waldo Hatler was born on 6 January 1894 at Bolivar, MO, the eldest of two sons of Troy and Rose Hatler. His father was a banker and real estate developer. Waldo graduated from the 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, MO, when the U.S. 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 Pouilly. Information relative to enemy strength and disposition on the opposite bank was vitally needed, and Hatler was one of several men to volunteer. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions.

Medal of Honor

Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company B, 356th Infantry, 89th Division.

Place and date: Near Pouilly, France, 8 November 1918.

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.

Extensive biographical and autobiographical information is contained in The M. Waldo Hatler Story, a book compiled and published in 1968 by his widow Margaret Hatler, using the Ozarkana Book Press (Neosho, Mo.) imprint.

Death and Burial

Sergeant M. Waldo Hatler died on 31 August 1967. He is buried at Grand Army of the Republic Cemetery in Sulphur Springs, AR.