Veteran in crisis? Dial 988 then press 1 · Text 838255 Next observance: Navy Birthday · October 13
Honoring American TroopsMedal of Honor Archive

Sergeant · U.S. Army

M. Waldo Hatler

Sergeant M. Waldo Hatler, Army, received the Medal of Honor for actions on November 8, 1918 near Pouilly, France during World War I.

World War I November 8, 1918

Sergeant M. Waldo Hatler, a soldier in the U.S. Army, received the Medal of Honor for gallantry on November 8, 1918 near Pouilly, France during World War I. At the time he was serving with Company B, 356th Infantry, 89th Division. Hatler was 24 years old.

The medal was presented on 1919 — at a park in Kansas City, Kansas, by a group of Army officers from Fort Leavenworth.

Hatler was born on January 6, 1894 in Bolivar, Polk County, Missouri. His Medal of Honor is credited to Neosho, Newton County, Missouri. Hatler died on August 31, 1967 in Sulphur Springs, Arkansas, at the age of 73. He is buried at Grand Army of the Republic Cemetery in Springs Sulphur, Arkansas.

Hatler is one of 132 Medal of Honor recipients from World War I and one of 78 credited to Missouri.

Official Medal of Honor 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 the 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.

Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.

Battles and campaigns

Also served in: World War I.

Life beyond the battlefield

Source: Wikidata.

Places

  • Born: Bolivar — map
  • Buried: GAR Cemetery — map

Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Missouri →

Timeline

  1. January 6, 1894
    Born in Bolivar, Polk County, Missouri
  2. November 8, 1918
    Act of valor — near Pouilly, France
    Age 24. Company B, 356th Infantry, 89th Division
  3. 1919
    Medal of Honor presented
    At a park in Kansas City, Kansas, by a group of Army officers from Fort Leavenworth.
  4. August 31, 1967
    Died in Sulphur Springs, Arkansas
    Age 73.
  5. Resting place
    Grand Army of the Republic Cemetery
    Springs Sulphur, Arkansas

Biography

Marcus Waldo Hatler (January 6, 1894 - August 31, 1967) was a Sergeant in the United States Army during World War I who received the Medal of Honor for heroism near Pouilly, France, November 8, 1918.

From the Wikipedia article “M. Waldo Hatler”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →

More World War I recipients from Missouri

AF Arthur J. Forrest Sergeant · Army World War I · 1919 John Henry Balch Pharmacist's Mate First Class · Navy World War I · 1918 AS Alexander Rives Skinker Captain · Army World War I · 1918 ✦ JB John Lewis Barkley Private First Class · Army World War I · 1918 CB Charles Denver Barger Private First Class · Army World War I · 1918
Sources. Service and award details compiled from the recipient record of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, Wikidata and Wikipedia. The narrative summary is generated from these records. Spotted an error? Send a correction.