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Honoring American TroopsMedal of Honor Archive

Sergeant · U.S. Army

Reidar Waaler

Sergeant Reidar Waaler, Army, received the Medal of Honor for actions on September 27, 1918 near Ronssoy, France during World War I.

World War I September 27, 1918Born in Norway

Serving as a soldier in the U.S. Army, Sergeant Reidar Waaler received the Medal of Honor for his actions on September 27, 1918 near Ronssoy, France during World War I. At the time he was serving with Company A, 105th Machine-Gun Battalion, 27th Division. Waaler was 24 years old.

2 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on February 4, 1919. Chaumont, France, presented by Gen. John J. Pershing.

Waaler was born on February 12, 1894 in Christiana (now Oslo), Norway — one of 22 recipients born in Norway. His Medal of Honor is credited to New York, New York. Waaler died on February 5, 1979 in Palm City, Florida, at the age of 84. He is buried at Forest Hills Memorial Park.

Waaler is one of 132 Medal of Honor recipients from World War I and one of 678 credited to New York.

★ Rescue & Lifesaving

Official Medal of Honor citation

In the face of heavy artillery and machine-gun fire, he crawled forward to a burning British tank, in which some of the crew were imprisoned, and succeeded in rescuing two men. Although the tank was then burning fiercely and contained ammunition which was likely to explode at any time, this soldier immediately returned to the tank and, entering it, made a search for the other occupants, remaining until he satisfied himself that there were no more living men in the tank.

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

Other decorations and honors

Besides the Medal of Honor, Reidar Waaler received:

Distinguished Conduct Medal

Source: Wikidata. Gold chips link to our guide to that decoration.

Battles and campaigns

Also served in: World War I.

Places

  • Born: Norway — map
  • Died: West Palm Beach — map
  • Buried: Forest Hills Memorial Park and Mausoleum — map

Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in New York →

Timeline

  1. February 12, 1894
    Born in Christiana (now Oslo), Norway
  2. September 27, 1918
    Act of valor — near Ronssoy, France
    Age 24. Company A, 105th Machine-Gun Battalion, 27th Division
  3. February 4, 1919
    Medal of Honor presented
    Chaumont, France, presented by Gen. John J. Pershing.
  4. February 5, 1979
    Died in Palm City, Florida
    Age 84.
  5. Resting place
    Forest Hills Memorial Park

Biography

Reidar Waaler (February 12, 1894 – February 5, 1979) was a soldier in the United States Army who received the Medal of Honor for his actions during World War I.

From the Wikipedia article “Reidar Waaler”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →

Also honored for actions on September 27, 1918

AB Albert E. Baesel Second Lieutenant · Army World War I · 1918 ✦ WT William Bradford Turner First Lieutenant · Army World War I · 1918 ✦

More World War I recipients from New York

CH Charles F. Hoffman Gunnery Sergeant · Marine Corps World War I · 1918 CH Charles F. Hoffman Gunnery Sergeant · Marine Corps World War I · 1918 Benjamin Kaufman First Sergeant · Army World War I · 1918 Michael Valente Private · Army World War I · 1918 Tedford Harris Cann Seaman · Navy World War I · 1917 FS Fred William Stockham Gunnery Sergeant · Marine Corps 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.