VAN IERSEL-LOUIS

Remembering Louis Van Iersel, a Medal of Honor recipient who served in the US Army and the Marines and fought in WWI and WWII, was honored in Sierra Madre, where a US Postal Service Office was named after him. Louis Van Iersel was an immigrant from The Netherlands, he was aboard a British vessel bound for the United States in February 1917, when the ship was torpedoed by a German submarine. In the panic he rigged the boatswain's chair that lifted 27 British sailors to safety, and was awarded a civilian decoration in the name of King George V. As soon as he disembarked in New Jersey he applied for American citizenship and enlisted in the US Army. He served in France as a Sergeant in Company M, 9th Infantry, 2d Division. Van Iersel was awarded the CMOH for distinguishing himself at Mouzon, France, on November 9, 1918. "While a member of the reconnaissance patrol, sent out at night to ascertain the condition of a damaged bridge, Sgt. Van Iersel volunteered to lead a party across the bridge in the face of heavy machine guns and rifle fire from a range of 75 yards.
Crawling alone along the debris of the ruined bridge he came upon a trap which precipitated him into the water. In spite of the swift current, he succeeded in swimming across the stream. Disregarding the enemy fire, he made a careful investigation of the hostile position by which the bridge was defended and then returned to the other bank of the river, reporting this valuable information to the battalion commander."
His actions were credited with saving over 1000 lives. During his WWI service, he also received 14 additional decorations for valor, including two Croix de Guerre from France. Van Iersel became a US citizen in 1919, changed his first name to Louis, and eventually settled in Los Angeles, where he worked as a city engineer for many years. During WWII, he joined the US Marine Corps and served with the 3rd Marine Division in the Bougainville Campaign. At the time of his death (June 9, 1987) at age 93, Van Iersel was believed to be the most highly decorated surviving World War I veteran. He was interred at Arlington National Cemetery; there is also a cenotaph for him at Sierra Madre Pioneer Cemetery near his home in Sierra Madre, California. We salute and honor his valiant service and sacrifices for our country.