Private First Class Stuart S. Stryker was a soldier in the U.S. Army who was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for his actions on March 24, 1945 near Wesel, Germany during World War II. At the time he was serving with Company E, 513th Parachute Infantry, 17th Airborne Division. Stryker was 20 years old.
Stryker was killed in the action for which his medal was awarded. One other service member also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day.
Stryker was born on October 30, 1924 in Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon. He is buried at Golden Gate National Cemetery in San Bruno, California.
Stryker is one of 474 Medal of Honor recipients from World War II and one of 13 credited to Oregon.
Official Medal of Honor citation
He was a platoon runner, when the unit assembled near Wesel, Germany, after a descent east of the Rhine. Attacking along a railroad, Company E reached a point about 250 yards from a large building used as an enemy headquarters and manned by a powerful force of Germans with rifles, machine guns, and four field pieces. One platoon made a frontal assault but was pinned down by intense fire from the house after advancing only 50 yards. So badly stricken that it could not return the raking fire, the platoon was at the mercy of the German machine gunners when Pfc. Stryker voluntarily left a place of comparative safety, and, armed with a carbine, ran to the head of the unit. In full view of the enemy and under constant fire, he exhorted the men to get to their feet and follow him. Inspired by his fearlessness, they rushed after him in a desperate charge through an increased hail of bullets. Twenty-five yards from the objective the heroic soldier was killed by the enemy fusillades. His gallant and wholly voluntary action in the face of overwhelming firepower, however, so encouraged his comrades and diverted the enemy's attention that other elements of the company were able to surround the house, capturing more than 200 hostile soldiers and much equipment, besides freeing three members of an American bomber crew held prisoner there. The intrepidity and unhesitating self-sacrifice of Pfc. Stryker were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Wounds and death in action
- Killed in action during the act for which the medal was awarded (March 24, 1945).
- Age at death: 20
- Resting place: Golden Gate National Cemetery
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: World War II.
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Oregon →
Timeline
- October 30, 1924Born in Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon
- March 24, 1945Act of valor — near Wesel, GermanyAge 20. Company E, 513th Parachute Infantry, 17th Airborne Division Killed in action.
- Resting placeGolden Gate National CemeterySan Bruno, California
Biography
Stuart Stanton Stryker (October 30, 1924 – March 24, 1945) was a United States Army soldier and a recipient of the U.S. military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his actions in World War II. The Stryker combat vehicle is partially named after Stuart Stryker, as well as another Medal of Honor recipient, Robert F. Stryker, who was not related to Stuart.
From the Wikipedia article “Stuart S. Stryker”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
Named in his honor
- Stryker — combat vehicle model
