Sydney G. Gumpertz

Sydney Gustave Gumpertz (October 24, 1879 – February 16, 1971) was a United States Army First Sergeant and recipient to the highest military decoration for valor in combat — the Medal of Honor — during World War I.

Biography Gumpertz was born in San Rafael, California on October 24, 1879. After attending public school, he went to work as a journalist.

In 1917, he enlisted in the U.S. Army at Chicago. Assigned to the 33d Division, he served in France during the battles on the Somme, at St. Mihiel and in the Argonne.

Gumpertz died at the Veterans Administration Hospital in New York City on February 16, 1971.

Awards Medal of Honor World War I Victory Medal Médaille militaire (France) Croix de Guerre with palm (France)

Medal of Honor Citation Medal of Honor Presentation Ceremony - February 9, 1919, at Chaumont, France. General John J. Pershing presided. Rank and organization: First Sergeant, United States Army, Company E, 132d Infantry, 33d Division. Place and date: In the Bois-de-Forges, France, September 29, 1918. Entered service at: Chicago, Illinois. Born: October 24, 1879, San Raphael, California. General Orders No.: 16, War Department, 1919. Residence at enlistment: 57 East Van Buren Street, Chicago, Illinois.

Citation:

When the advancing line was held up by machinegun fire, 1st Sgt. Gumpertz left the platoon of which he was in command and started with 2 other soldiers through a heavy barrage toward the machinegun nest. His 2 companions soon became casualties from bursting shells, but 1st Sgt. Gumpertz continued on alone in the face of direct fire from the machinegun, jumped into the nest and silenced the gun, capturing 9 of the crew.