Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Carl
Herbert
Wohlfeil
1914-01-13

–

1992-10-24

Born:

Est Rockwood

, 

Michigan

Home:

Buffalo

, 

New York

Buried: 

Charleston

, 

South Carolina

Cemetery:

Cathedral Church of Saint Luke and Saint Peter

Carl Wohlfeil’s parents died when he was only two years old, and he was brought up, along with his brother, in St. Johns Lutheran orphanage in Buffalo. New York. In 1932, he graduated with honors from South Buffalo High School and enlisted in the Army that fall. While stationed at Schofield Barracks in Hawaii, he attended the Academy preparatory school and received an appointment to West Point, He graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Class of 1939. He retired with disability in 1966 as a U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel.

Awards Received

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Field Artillery)

    Batallion:

    15th Field Artillery Battalion

    Division:

    2d Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    1951
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Lieutenant Colonel (Field Artillery) Carl Herbert Wohlfeil (ASN: 0-21907), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding Officer, 15th Field Artillery Battalion, 2d Infantry Division, and later with TENTH Corps Artillery, in Korea, in 1951. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Wohlfeil and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Field Artillery)

    Batallion:

    15th Field Artillery Battalion

    Division:

    2d Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    May 19 – 21, 1951
    Headquarters, 2d Infantry Division, General Orders No. 304 (July 17, 1951)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel (Field Artillery) Carl Herbert Wohlfeil (ASN: 0-21907), United States Army, for gallantry in action as Commanding Officer of the 15th Field Artillery Battalion, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy from 19 to 21 May 1951, in the Soyang River Sector, Korea. During that period the sector of friendly lines held by the 9th Infantry Regiment, which was being directly supported by the fires of Colonel Wohlfeil’s light artillery Battalion, was being fiercely attacked and was outflanked in places by two enemy divisions supported by artillery. In spite of a very grave possibility that such action might result in enormous losses of men and materiel, because of the unfavorable terrain and the tactical situation, Colonel Wohlfeil’s personal gallantry, daring and aggressive command actions were outstanding. He displaced his battalion over narrow, rough, winding roads in darkness into an area where tactical employment of artillery was extremely unfavorable. The battle of the Soyang River was a United Nations victory primarily because of the splendid combat effectiveness of the 9th Infantry Regiment as augmented by Colonel Wohlfeil’s gallant and decisive stand. His personal gallantry, when his positions were almost totally surrounded and the enemy was in very close proximity, coordinating his fires with the needs of the infantry, constantly visiting each gun position and continuously ignoring intense enemy fire to direct and encourage his men, was an inspiration to all those observing him. The gallantry displayed by Colonel Wohlfeil reflects great credit upon himself and upholds the highest traditions of the Military Service of the United States.