West Haven in New Haven County, Connecticut — The American Northeast (New England)
William A. Soderman
Congressional Medal of Honor
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 • War, World II. In addition, it is included in the Medal of Honor Recipients series list. A significant historical month for this entry is October 1867.
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.)
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.