Minot in Ward County, North Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
First Lieutenant Orville Emil Bloch
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 29, 2023
1. First Lieutenant Orville Emil Bloch Marker
1915-1983
Company E, 338th Infantry, 85th Infantry Division, U.S. Army
A small patrol led by First Lieutenant Bloch near Firenzuola, Italy, on September 22, 1944, located a group of machine gun nests holding up the advance in that sector. Leaving the three men of the patrol behind, Bloch attacked the first machine gun nest alone, charging into furious automatic fire and capturing the crew of five. He then attacked the second enemy machine gun nest located 15 yards away, wounding the machine gunner and sending the other two enemies fleeing into a nearby house. Bloch and one man from his patrol advanced to the opposite end of the house, there opening fire upon a third machine gun crew of five, who also fled the house. Bloch, unassisted, rushed through the door into the hail of small-arms fire, capturing the seven occupants. Bloch and his men then proceeded to another house, where they discovered an abandoned machine gun and another enemy machine gun nest, which Bloch immediately attacked. When the enemy fled into the building, Bloch pursued them, wounding two and capturing six. Altogether, Bloch had single-handedly captured 19 prisoners and eliminated five enemy machine gun nests.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Patriots & Patriotism
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Location. 48° 14.015′ N, 101° 16.625′ W. Marker is in Minot, North Dakota, in Ward County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of East Burdick Expressway (Business U.S. 2) and 13th Street Southeast, on the right when traveling west. The marker is located at the North Dakota Medal of Honor Memorial, in Roosevelt Park, on the west side of the Roosevelt Park Zoo. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1219 East Burdick Expressway, Minot ND 58701, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. ☆ Private Nels Wold (here, next to this marker); ☆ Private First Class Henry Gurke (here, next to this marker); Staff Sergeant Jack J. Pendleton (here, next to this marker); ☆ Lieutenant Colonel Fred E. Smith (here, next to this marker); Master Sergeant Woodrow Wilson Keeble (here, next to this marker); Commander Willis Winter Bradley, Jr. (here, next to this marker); Specialist Fourth Class Michael John Fitzmaurice (here, next to this marker); Private Frank F. Ross (here, next to this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Minot.
Related markers.
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 27, 2023
2. First Lieutenant Orville Emil Bloch Memorial
Also see . . .
1. Orville Emil Bloch (Congressional Medal of Honor Society). Excerpt:
World War II - U.S. Army(Submitted on February 9, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Rank: First Lieutenant (Highest Rank: Colonel)
Medal of Honor Action Date: September 22, 1944
Medal of Honor Action Place: Near Firenzuola, Italy
Citation: First Lt. Bloch undertook the task of wiping out five enemy machine-gun nests that had held up the advance in that particular sector for one day.... His gallant and heroic actions saved his company many casualties and permitted them to continue the attack with new inspiration and vigor.
Presentation Date & Details: February 6, 1945, Firenzuola, Italy, presented by Lieutenant General Lucian K. Truscott.
2. Orville Emil Bloch (Wikipedia).
Bloch joined the Army from Streeter, North Dakota in February 1942, and by September 22, 1944 was serving as a first lieutenant in Company E, 338th Infantry Regiment, 85th Infantry Division. On that day, near Firenzuola, Italy, he led three soldiers in an attack on enemy positions which resulted in the capture of nineteen prisoners and the silencing of five machine gun nests. Bloch later served in the Korean War and reached the rank of colonel before retiring in 1970.(Submitted on February 9, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
3. Orvill Emil Bloch, Medal of Honor (Prairie Public NewsRoom). Excerpt:
As a 1st Lieutenant in 85th Infantry Division, he silenced five machine guns and captured 19 Germans near Firenzuola, Italy. A 1945 Bismarck Tribune published the following story, which was based on the accounts of the two men who were with him on this day in 1944...(Submitted on February 9, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
4. 1LT Orville Emil Bloch (Find A Grave). Excerpt:
(Evergreen-Washelli Memorial Park, Seattle, King County, Washington) World War II Medal of Honor Recipient. He was the son of German immigrants. According to his private grave marker, he was too short at 5'4" to be a candidate for an officer's commission in the Army, Navy or Marines even with a college degree, yet he received the Medal of Honor. He enlisted in the United States Army as a simple private, working his way up through the ranks.(Submitted on February 9, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 11, 2024. It was originally submitted on February 9, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 58 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 9, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
