Saluda in Middlesex County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
1st Lt Beryl R. Newman
Medal of Honor, W.W. II
Medal of Honor
W.W. II
1st Lt Beryl R. Newman
Co. F. & G, 133rd Inf. Regt. 34th Inf. Div.
Born Nov. 2, 1911
Died March 8, 1998
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Heroes • Military • War, World II. In addition, it is included in the Medal of Honor Recipients series list. A significant historical date for this entry is March 8, 1998.
Location. 37° 36.382′ N, 76° 35.694′ W. Marker is in Saluda, Virginia, in Middlesex County. Marker is on General Puller Highway (Virginia Route 17) near Gloucester Road (Route 33). Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Saluda VA 23149, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Middlesex County Veteran's Memorial (here, next to this marker); Middlesex County Confederate Monument (a few steps from this marker); Veterans Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Middlesex County Courthouse (a few steps from this marker); Morgan v. Virginia (within shouting distance of this marker); Middlesex County / Gloucester County (approx. 1.6 miles away); Scottish Factors Store (approx. 1.6 miles away); Christ Church (approx. 1.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Saluda.
Additional commentary.
1. Medal of Honor Citation
The President of the United States in the name of The Congress takes pleasure in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR to
NEWMAN, BERYL R.
Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, U.S. Army, 133d Infantry, 34th Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Cisterna, Italy, 26 May 1944. Entered service at: Baraboo, Wis. Birth: Baraboo, Wis. G.O. No.: 5, 15 January 1945.
Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty on 26 May 1944. Attacking the strongly held German Anzio-Nettuno defense line near Cisterna, Italy, 1st Lt. Newman, in the lead of his platoon, was suddenly fired upon by 2 enemy machineguns located on the crest of a hill about 100 yards to his front. The 4 scouts with him immediately hit the ground, but 1st Lt. Newman remained standing in order to see the enemy positions and his platoon then about 100 yards behind. Locating the enemy nests, 1st Lt. Newman called back to his platoon and ordered 1 squad to advance to him and the other to flank the enemy to the right. Then, still standing upright in the face of the enemy machinegun fire, 1st Lt. Newman opened up with his tommygun on the enemy nests. From this range, his fire was not effective in covering the advance of his squads, and 1 squad was pinned down by the enemy fire. Seeing that his squad was unable to advance, 1st Lt. Newman, in full view of the enemy gunners and in the face of their continuous fire, advanced alone on the enemy nests. He returned their fire with his tommygun and succeeded in wounding a German in each of the nests. The remaining 2 Germans fled from the position into a nearby house. Three more enemy soldiers then came out of the house and ran toward a third machinegun. 1st Lt. Newman, still relentlessly advancing toward them, killed 1 before he reached the gun, the second before he could fire it. The third fled for his life back into the house. Covering his assault by firing into the doors and windows of the house, 1st Lt. Newman, boldly attacking by himself, called for the occupants to surrender to him. Gaining the house, he kicked in the door and went inside. Although armed with rifles and machine pistols, the 11 Germans there, apparently intimidated, surrendered to the lieutenant without further resistance, 1st Lt. Newman, single-handed, had silenced 3 enemy machineguns, wounded 2 Germans, killed 2 more, and took 11 prisoners. This demonstration of sheer courage, bravery, and willingness to close with the enemy even in the face of such heavy odds, instilled into these green troops the confidence of veterans and reflects the highest traditions of the U.S. Armed Forces.
/S/FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT
— Submitted December 4, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 8, 2016. It was originally submitted on December 4, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,283 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 4, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. 4. submitted on July 8, 2016, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland.