Eugene Inzer , Richland Parish Louisiana receives Bronze Star submitted
by Ray Bartlett



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 Personal notes by submitter:  I recently came into possession of 
some newspaper clippings maintained by some of my family who used 
to live in Richland Parish.  My uncle, Boyd White, was a friend of 
the soldier from Rayville who received the Bronze Star in 1945.  
There is no newspaper name on the clipping, but I believe it was 
the Monroe newspaper.  As a veteran, I think that the names of heroes 
should be remembered for an inspiration to young people.  The 
transcription is as follows:


BRONZE STAR IS AWARDED INZER

AFTER HEROIC ATTACK, OFFICER WAS LEFT

  FOR DEAD BY ENEMY


  For heroic achievement and self-sacrifice on February 24, 1945, near
Styring Wendel, France, Lt. Eugene G. Inzer, 22, of Rayville,
La., was decorated with the Bronze Star Medal during a retreat parade
today by Brig. Gen. Larry B. McAfee, commanding general, Bruns General
Hospital, Santa Fe, N. M.
  "Although the enemy occupied high ground overlooking his route of
attack, Lieutenant Inzer, without regard for his own safety
boldly led his platoon up a steep wooded slope," the citation read.
"When heavy casualties were sustained from the unexpectedly strong enemy
resistance, Lieutenant Inzer, altough seriously wounded himself, cooly
maneuvered his men back to safety.  The knowledge of the enemy strength 
obtained during the heroic assault later contributed measurably toward 
driving the hostile force from the position."
  The Lieutenant and his platoon were advancing on the western outskirts
of the town through scattered pill boxes of the outer defenses of the
Siegfried line (sic.), encountering both artillery and machine gun
opposition.  He made a flank movement on the counter-attacking Germans,
encountering 60 enemy soldiers.
  Although he was wounded by six slugs from a Jerry machine pistol
which passed through his right leg and arm, Inzer ordered his men
to retire.  As he lay 35 yards inside the German line, he saw two of his
men, who were also wounded, taken prisoner.  The lieutenant
lay without aid, taken for dead by the enemy, from 6 a. m. to 8 p. m.
when the Americans launched a successful attack, shoving the Nazis back.

  Going into action December 21, 1944, for the first time, Lieutenant
Inzer, then a staff sergeant and acting platoon leader, succeeded in
taking an important road junction in the face of German artillery, mortar, 
tank, machine gun, and small arms fire, and defended by
battle-hardened SS troops.
  It was following this action, that Inzer describes as "the worst I
ever got into," he was given a field commission as a second lieutenant.
  Enlisting July 22, 1943, Inzer took basic training at Camp Adair,
Ore.  He went overseas on November 30, 1944.  He wears the Purple Heart,
the Good Conduct Medal, and the European-African-Middle Eastern campaign
medal with one bronze clasp in addition to the Bronze Star medal.
  Eugene Inzer is a graduate of Rayville High School.  He intends to
continue his studies at Louisiana State University, agricultural school,
majoring in farm equipment.  His brothers, S/Sgt. Gradie U., a prisoner
of  the Japs at Osaka, and SK 3/c LaVern A., who is serving the navy in
the Philippines, are in service.  Their parents, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph G.
Inzer, and Eugene's wife, Mrs. Dorothy L. reside in Rayville.



                                                                                                                                                                                         
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