United States of America
Headstone of Harold Ernest Goettler
Headstone of Harold Ernest Goettler
U.S. Army · United States United States

Harold Ernest Goettler

1890 – 1918
Medal of Honor - Army

Harold Ernest Goettler served the U.S. Army. Harold was 28 years old.

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Medal of Honor Recipient Harold E. Goettler
Medal of Honor Recipient Harold E. Goettler
Harold Ernest Goettler
Harold Ernest Goettler
Service Record
U.S. Army
Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
6 October 1918 · Near Binarville, France · First Lieutenant, pilot, U.S. Army Air Corps, 50th Aero Squadron, Air Service.

1st. Lt. Goettler, with his observer, 2d Lt. Erwin R. Bleckley, 130th Field Artillery, left the airdrome late in the afternoon on their second trip to drop supplies to a battalion of the 77th Division which had been cut off by the enemy in the Argonne Forest. Having been subjected on the first trip to violent fire from the enemy, they attempted on the second trip to come still lower in order to get the packages even more precisely on the designated spot. In the course of this mission the plane was brought down by enemy rifle and machinegun fire from the ground, resulting in the instant death of 1st. Lt. Goettler. In attempting and performing this mission 1st. Lt. Goettler showed the highest possible contempt of personal danger, devotion to duty, courage and valor.

56, W.D., 1922.
Awards & Decorations 1

For valor

Medal of Honor - Army posthumous October 6, 1918 · Near Binarville, France · First Lieutenant, pilot, U.S. Army Air Corps, 50th Aero Squadron, Air Service. 56, W.D., 1922.
1st. Lt. Goettler, with his observer, 2d Lt. Erwin R. Bleckley, 130th Field Artillery, left the airdrome late in the afternoon on their second trip to drop supplies to a battalion of the 77th Division which had been cut off by the enemy in the Argonne Forest. Having been subjected on the first trip to violent fire from the enemy, they attempted on the second trip to come still lower in order to get the packages even more precisely on the designated spot. In the course of this mission the plane was brought down by enemy rifle and machinegun fire from the ground, resulting in the instant death of 1st. Lt. Goettler. In attempting and performing this mission 1st. Lt. Goettler showed the highest possible contempt of personal danger, devotion to duty, courage and valor.
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Record added August 7, 2026 neuraweb.nw
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Last updated September 19, 2026

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Harold Ernest Goettler
U.S. Army
Medal of Honor - Army

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