WW2 Fallen - Silver Star & Bronze Star hero Leslie Wolff, 36th Infantry Division

Sgt. Leslie Wolff served with the 36th Infantry Division in Africa, Italy, and France.
He earned both the Bronze Star and Silver Star.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/37642464/leslie-a-wolff
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6DG-YBUDzk 

Leslie Alois Wolff never had a chance to reach 100 years old today. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.

He was born on December 15, 1919 in Halletsville, Texas. His parents Alois and Theresia were also both born in Texas. All of his grandparents were from Germany. His father worked as a farmer. Leslie had two older sisters, one older brother, and three younger brothers. By 1940 Leslie had completed six years of education and was working as a bookkeeper. He joined the Texas National Guard in November 1940.

He enlisted in the army in November 1942. He became a first sergeant in Company L, 3rd Battalion, 141st Infantry Regiment, 36th Infantry Division.The 36th ID arrived in North Africa in April 1943. It was first assigned to guard the thousands of German POWs from the Africa Korps. It first saw action in Italy during the Battle of Salerno in September 1943 where it suffered more than 4,000 casualties. In December it was engaged in the Battle of San Pietro. The next month the 36th ID tried to cross the Gari River. Losses in the rifle companies reached 90%. Next it was sent to reinforce Allied gains at Anzio in May 1944. 

Sgt. Wolff earned the Bronze Star around this time. His citation reads as follows:

For heroic achievement in combat on 1 June 1944 in Italy. When the left flank of Company L was threatened by a strong enemy counter attack, Sergeant Wolff was sent to guide two squads from the reserve platoon to the company command post. He moved over terrain subject to heavy machine gun and sniper fire, but he succeeded in reaching his objective and leading the two squads back to the command post. He then volunteered to move the squads into position on the left flank to in order to supplement the unit's resistance to the enemy attack. He again led the men through hostile small arms fire and skillfully directed them to positions affording excellent fields of fire against the enemy.

The 36th ID was pulled of the line in June 1944 to prepare for the invasion of Southern France which happened on August 15. It moved up the Rhone River Valley reaching Montelimar which fell on August 28, 1944, the date when Sgt. Wolff was killed in action.

Sgt. Wolff was posthumously awarded the Silver Star. His citation reads as follows:

For gallantry in action on 28 August 1944 in France. Sergeant Wolff was advancing with the assault platoon of his company during an attack against an important enemy stronghold when the officer leading the 2d platoon was wounded by hostile fire. 

Sergeant Wolff immediately assumed command of the platoon. As he approached the town, he was seriously wounded in the leg. Mastering the intense pain of his injury, he continued to press forward at the head of the platoon, leading his men toward their objective. Upon reaching the edge of town, he was confronted by a high stone wall. As he rounded the corner of the wall, he encountered a group of eight enemy soldiers. Moving with lightning swiftness, he hurled a hand grenade into their midst, wounding several of the enemy and forcing the remainder to take cover. He immediately became the target for heavy fire and was mortally wounded by a burst from a hostile machine gun. 

His heroic sacrifice saved his men from being ambushed by the hostile forces. His gallant actions reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

His grave is at Saint Josephs Catholic Cemetery in Moulton, Texas.

Thank you Sgt. Wolff for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Leslie.

Last year on this date this project profiled P-61 Black Widow radar operator Harold Ozmun. You can read about Harold here.

On behalf of the fallen, if you would like to see more people become aware of this project to honor the WW2 fallen, be sure to share with others on Twitter, Facebook, etc. Thanks for your interest!

I created this video to explain why I started this project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXt8QA481lY.

Follow on Twitter @ww2fallen100
Please consider joining the public Facebook group to increase the exposure of this project. Go to: WW2 Fallen 100

WW2 Fallen 100 is supported by

The Greatest GENERATIONS Foundation

“Where Every Day is Memorial Day”

http://www.tggf.org