A ceremony Friday afternoon paid tribute to a local recipient of the Medal of Honor, the highest military decoration of the U. S. Armed Forces.

The event to salute Harold O. Messerschmidt of Grier City was conducted at his grave site in Christ Lutheran Church Cemetery, Barnesville, by the Bridge of Light Committee of National Sojourners Inc. The group is a fraternal organization tending to needs of military Masons and advancing programs to promote love of country.

Charles Odorizzi of Omaha, Nebraska, a Tamaqua native, serves as the committee’s national commander. Dressed in a Revolutionary War period uniform in tribute to Americans who’ve served in all conflicts, Odorizzi said Messerschmidt is one of 3,511 Americans to earn the highest distinction.

It’s an honor, he said, which is mislabeled at times.

“It’s erroneously called the Congressional Medal of Honor. But Congress doesn’t award it. The president does.”

Messerschmidt, born October 20, 1923, was an Army soldier recognized for outstanding courage for his actions in World War II. In September, 1944, he served as sergeant in Company L, 30th Infantry Division, during a German attack in France. He led his men until everyone had been killed or wounded. Ignoring his own wounds, he then continued to fight alone in hand-to-hand combat until killed.

According to Jim Shaup of the Heckman, Isganitis, Messerschmidt American Legion Post 973, Quakake, the soldier’s actions are summed up in detail in his MOH citation:

“He displayed conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty. Braving machine gun, machine pistol, and rifle fire, he moved fearlessly and calmly from man-to-man along his 40-yard squad front, encouraging each to hold against the overwhelming assault of a fanatical foe surging up the hillside.”

According to Shaup, Messerschmidt eventually used his empty machine gun as a bludgeon against his assailants until he was killed at the young age of 20. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor ten months later, on July 17, 1946.

“Sgt. Messerschmidt’s sustained heroism in hand-to-hand combat with superior enemy forces was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service.”

Eric Zizelmann welcomed those who turned out for the tribute, acknowledging the importance to pause in appreciation.

“There are occasions where the words thank you just don’t say enough,” Zizelmann said.

Prayers were offered by Robert Argust and the Reverend Bob Adams.

A volley salute was rendered by the Quakake American Legion honor guard.

At least one other MOH recipient came from eastern Schuylkill County.

According to the Wall of Valor Project, Tamaqua was home to Private Thomas Robinson, U.S. Army.

He was awarded the Medal of Honor for extraordinary heroism on May 12, 1864, while serving with Company H, 81st Pennsylvania Infantry, in Spotsylvania, Virginia, where he captured an enemy flag in hand-to-hand conflict.

Robinson is one of more than 300 MOH recipients for whom a burial site is unknown. There is a national project to try to identify the resting place of Robinson and the others.