~ Pride ~ Honor ~ Valor ~ Sacrifice ~

The Jewish Experience in the U.S. Military
True Stories and Oral Histories

Books by Howard J. Leavitt
 

Excerpt from Tales of Valor

Sergeant Max Heller

Sergeant Heller served under General Douglas MacArthur in the Philippines. In addition to the Distinguished Service Cross, he also received the Silver Star and two Bronze Stars. His Distinguished Service Cross citation reads:

"For extraordinary heroism in action in the Southwest Pacific Area, on 21 March, 1945. Company K, 20th Infantry, was occupying positions on vital Banzai Hill near Marikina, Luzon, Philippine Islands, which was subjected to heavy enemy machine gun and mortar preparatory to a hostile night assault.

When communications between 60 MM mortar positions and forward observers were severed, Sergeant Heller, acting as a forward observer, left his foxhole and, despite the continuing intense barrage, following the line to the break, repaired it, and continued on through the target area to restore communications with another forward position, after which he crawled back to his foxhole. 

When approximately 100 enemy troops launched an attack, he stood erect, and, although silhouetted, remained exposed in order to more accurately direct mortar fire. As he converged the mortar fire upon them, the enemy forces charged, but he fearlessly reduced the range of the mortar until the impact area was only 20 yards in front of his position and then obtained such a volume of fire that the enemy was unable to reorganize and was forced to retreat in disorder under the merciless barrage.

Soon, in preparation for another assault, the enemy laid a devastating amount of fire upon the hill position of Company K. Nearing complete exhaustion from nearly a month of continuous combat, the troops were strained close to the breaking point when Sergeant Heller, completely disregarding the bursting shells all about him, crawled from his foxhole and moved from his position, encouraging his comrades, rendering first aid to the casualties, and inspiring the men by his outstanding example of courage.

The barrage lifted and a strong enemy force charged forward. Once more, standing exposed in his foxhole adn the target of concentrated enemy fire, Sergeant Heller skillfully directed a merciless mortar barrage on the fanatic hostile force until it withdrew to a position on a nearby hill, from where harassing fire was directed upon Company K. Sergeant Heller once more moved from foxhole to foxhole lending assurance and assistance to his wounded and weary comrades, and when dawn finally came, 50 enemy dead were counted immediately in front of his position.

Through his inspired bravery, skillful ability to adjust mortar fire, and unswerving devotion to duty, Sergeant Heller was largely responsible for repelling two fanatical enemy attacks against a vital position and his gallant acts fully upheld the finest traditions of the American soldier." 

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