M. Waldo Hatler

M. Waldo Hatler
Medal of Honor recipient
Born	(1894-01-06)January 6, 1894 Bolivar, Missouri
Died	August 31, 1967(1967-08-31) (aged 73)
Place of burial	Grand Army of the Republic Cemetery, Sulphur Springs, Arkansas
Allegiance	United States of America
Service / branch	United States Army
Rank	Sergeant
Service number	2199881
Battles / wars	World War I
Awards	Medal of Honor

M. 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.

Biography

M. Waldo Hatler was born January 6, 1894, at Bolivar, Missouri, elder of two sons of Troy and Rose Hatler. His father was a banker and real estate developer. Waldo graduated from the University of Michigan Law School in 1914 but never practiced law, instead following his father into banking and real estate. He was working in his father's bank at Neosho, Missouri when the United States entered World War I. He attempted to secure a commission in the navy but was turned down for medical reasons. He later waived exemption to the draft and was inducted into the army from Neosho. Assigned to Company B, 356th Infantry, he had risen to the rank of sergeant when, just days before the armistice, his regiment was halted by the enemy in its advance toward Germany at the Meuse River near the French village of Pouilly. Information relative to enemy strength and disposition on the opposite bank was vitally needed and Hatler was one of several men to volunteer.

Extensive biographical and autobiographical information is contained in The M. Waldo Hatler Story, a book compiled and published by in 1968 by his widow Margaret Hatler, using the Ozarkana Book Press (Neosho, Mo.) imprint.

M. Waldo Hatler is buried at Grand Army of the Republic Cemetery, Sulphur Springs, Arkansas.

Medal of Honor citation

Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company B, 356th Infantry, 89th Division. Place and date: Near Pouilly, France, November 8, 1918. Entered service at: Neosho, Mo. Born: January 6, 1894, Bolivar, Mo. G.O. No.: 74, W.D., 1919.

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 this 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.

See also

• List of Medal of Honor recipients
• List of Medal of Honor recipients for World War I

References

• "Congressional Medal of Honor Society - official website". Retrieved October 4, 2010.