Ehlerding, Herbert H.

HERBERT HENRY CARL EHLERDING

PRIVATE 1st CLASS
U.S. ARMY 

Herbert Henry Carl Ehlerding was born on the 12th of July, 1917, in the small town of Preble Indiana in Adams County. At the date of his birth His father Gustav was 29 years old and his Mother Amanda was only 23. Herbert was one of four siblings, his brother, Lewis Ehlerding at home; and two sisters, Mrs. Frank Schuller (wife of Pfc. Frank Schuller, who also served his country, taking part in battle in Holland on V-E day) and his other sister Mrs. Vern Linker, of Ossian route one. Before he entered the service, Herbert worked as a farm hand with his father where he established a strong work ethic before transferring to Ewell Oil Co. in 1940. After only a year at his new job, Herbert joined the United States Army at the age of 23 on April 19th 1941.

Upon his enlistment, Herbert received basic training as infantryman at Camp Shelby, Miss, additional training at Camp Carrabelle, Florida, Camp Livingston, Louisiana and Hawaii, and also at camps in Texas with the 152d Infantry Regiment.                                   

The 152d Infantry Regiment was part of the infamous 38th Cyclone Division. He served primarily in the Philippines as well as in Hawaii, New Guinea, Samar, Leyte, and in the battle of Zig Zag Pass. Private First Class (PFC) Ehlerding and his regiment would go on to fight to recapture the Bataan Peninsula from Japanese occupation. In January of 1945 the 38th, the 34th, and the 24th Infantry Divisions were given the orders to clear Japanese forces from the Bataan Peninsula. The success of this battle ensured the full use of Manila Bay for the easy resupply of American forces retaking Manila. General Douglas MacArthur would distinguish it with so much significance so as to name the 38th Division the “Avengers of Bataan.” The legacy of Herbert and his divisions accomplishments are well known as the resolve and justice for the soldiers forced at gunpoint to camps 60 miles away on what became known as the Bataan Death March, three years prior.

On May 7th 1945 Private First Class, Herbert Henry Carl Ehlerding was lost to enemy mortar fire in Luzon, Philippines. This was the day of the German surrender in Europe (VE Day) but still several months before the Pacific War would end with the dropping of the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Upon the conclusion of the war, the Ehlerding family was given the option to bring their son home or to leave him at rest in the Philippines, the family decided and let their boy rest in peace at the Manila American Cemetery in the Philippines. . . Plot N Row 3 Grave 59 where he is interred today.

SSgt Harold Fuelling was also a member of the 38th Infantry Division and was killed in the same battle eleven days later on May 18, 1945.

For his service and sacrifice, PFC Ehlerding was awarded the Purple Heart Medal, WWll Victory Medal, American Defense Medal, Philippines Liberation Medal, American Campaign Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and the Asiatic-Pacific Theatre Campaign Medal. PFC Ehlerding also earned the Combat Infantryman Badge.

Information researched and collected by Kyle Lawson, 2017. 

SOURCES

American Battle Monument Comission. www.abmc.gov/cemeteries-memorials/pacific/manila-american-cemetery#.WjAaud-nHIU. Accessed 12 Dec. 2017.

 Ancestry. 1997, www.ancestryclassroom.com/. Accessed 12 Dec. 2017.

The Free Encyclopedia. 2 Dec. 2017, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/152nd_Infantry_Regiment_(United_States). Accessed 12 Dec. 2017.

InGenWeb. 2011, adamsingenweb.com/. Accessed 12 Dec. 2017.

Indiana Historical Bureau, comp. Gold Star Honor Roll: Adams County. Bloomington Indiana War History Commission, 1949. Print. Vol. 1 of Indiana in World War II.

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