West Haven in New Haven County, Connecticut — The American Northeast (New England)
William A. Soderman
Congressional Medal of Honor
Photographed By Michael Herrick, February 15, 2010
1. William A. Soderman Marker
As the German artillery barrage pinned down troops around him, Soderman faced five Mark V tanks. He stood up completely disregarding the fire that could be brought to bear on him . . ." His rocket dismantled the lead tank.
Near dawn, five more tanks appeared. Running along a ditch he jumped to the road in full view of the gunners, disabled the lead tank with a rocket and forced the others to withdraw. He then fired another rocket that silenced the machine guns of a nearby German infantry platoon.
Then, after Company K was ordered to fall back under mounting enemy pressure, more tanks moved down the road. Fully exposed, Soderman once again disabled the lead tank with his last rocket. Before he could reach cover, machinegun bullets from the tank ripped into his right shoulder. Unarmed and seriously wounded, he dragged himself along a ditch to the American lines.
For his display of "intrepidity and heroism" Pfc. Soderman received the Congressional Medal of Honor at the White House on October 12, 1945.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Heroes
this page online
Location. 41° 15.151′ N, 72° 57.441′ W. Marker is in West Haven, Connecticut, in New Haven County. Marker can be reached from Captain Thomas Blvd, 0.1 miles south of Dyke Street, on the left when traveling south. Located in Bradley Point Park on the Veterans Walk of Honor. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: West Haven CT 06516, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Bradley Point Park (here, next to this marker); The Korean War (a few steps from this marker); Veterans Walk Of Honor (within shouting distance of this marker); West Haven Vietnam Veterans Memorial (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); British Landing Site (approx. 0.2 miles away); First Avenue Honor Roll (approx. 0.4 miles away); SOS - Save Our Shore (approx. half a mile away); The Lone Sailor (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in West Haven.
Also see . . . William A. Soderman on Wikipedia. (Submitted on February 23, 2010, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)
Photographed By Don Morfe, May 30, 2001
2. William A. Soderman Private Grave Marker
He is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, West Haven, CT. The grave GPS coordinates are N41.2835 W72.9538
Photographed By Don Morfe, May 30, 2001
3. William A. Soderman Medal of Honor Grave Marker-Oak Grove Cemetery
Photographed By Michael Herrick, February 15, 2010
4. William A. Soderman Marker
Photographed By Michael Herrick, February 15, 2010
5. Veterans Walk of Honor
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on February 23, 2010, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 1,245 times since then and 66 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on February 23, 2010, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. 2, 3. submitted on September 17, 2015, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. 4, 5. submitted on February 23, 2010, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.
