Twice a Warrior: The Remarkable Life of Sergeant Louis Van Iersel
In every generation, there are men whose courage transcends circumstance — men who not only fight for freedom, but embody it. Sergeant Louis Van Iersel was one of those men. An immigrant who came to America seeking opportunity, he gave back far more than he ever received. Across two world wars, Van Iersel’s story became a testament to loyalty, perseverance, and an undying love for his adopted country.
Born in the Netherlands in 1893, Louis Van Iersel arrived in the United States with little more than hope and determination. When America entered World War I in 1917, Van Iersel was not yet a U.S. citizen — but that didn’t stop him. He enlisted in the U.S. Army, determined to serve the nation that had given him a new beginning. It was a decision that would forever define his life and legacy.
Assigned to the 108th Infantry Regiment, 27th Division, Van Iersel quickly proved himself to be a soldier of rare bravery and resolve. The front lines of Europe were a nightmare of mud, fire, and steel, but he faced them with a calm intensity that inspired those around him. His defining moment came during a fierce battle near the
Under relentless German machine-gun fire, the American advance was halted. The bridge they needed to cross had been shattered by shelling, and communication with the front was impossible. The situation was desperate — without intelligence on enemy positions, hundreds of lives were at risk.
That was when Sergeant Van Iersel volunteered. Crawling across the wreckage of the bridge under heavy fire, he fell into the cold, churning river below. Most would have turned back, but not Van Iersel. He swam to the far bank, dodging bullets and debris, then navigated through the chaos to gather the crucial information needed to guide the troops forward.
With his uniform soaked and his body battered, he swam back across the river — again under enemy fire — and delivered his findings. His actions enabled his unit to adjust their assault and ultimately capture their objective. For his extraordinary heroism that day, Van Iersel was awarded the
When asked later why he had taken such a risk, Van Iersel reportedly replied with typical humility:
After the war, Louis Van Iersel finally became a U.S. citizen, a moment that meant as much to him as any medal or honor. He returned to civilian life, working in California, raising a family, and contributing quietly to his community. But his sense of duty never faded. He had worn the uniform once and would do so again when his country needed him most.
When World War II erupted, Van Iersel was already in his late forties — an age when most men would have watched from home. But not him. At 47 years old
Serving in the Pacific Theater, he brought to the younger Marines not only skill, but wisdom. He trained, led, and motivated soldiers half his age, many of whom only later learned they were serving alongside a Medal of Honor recipient. To Van Iersel, that medal was not a symbol of glory — it was a reminder of responsibility. He continued to serve with the same humility and discipline that had carried him through the trenches of France decades earlier.
Even more remarkable, all three of his sons also wore the uniform during the war, carrying forward their father’s legacy of service. Together, the Van Iersel family became a living portrait of what it means to love one’s country — not in words, but in sacrifice.
After the war, Louis Van Iersel returned to civilian life once again, quietly dedicating himself to his family and to helping veterans adjust to life after combat. Those who knew him described him as gentle, disciplined, and deeply patriotic — a man who never sought attention but whose life commanded respect.
He passed away in 1987 at the age of 94, leaving behind a story that continues to inspire soldiers and citizens alike. From a young immigrant chasing the American dream to a double veteran of two world wars, Van Iersel proved that being an American is not defined by birth, but by belief — belief in duty, freedom, and the courage to act when it matters most.
🕊️ Sergeant Louis Van Iersel’s life reminds us that heroism is not bound by nationality or age. It is found in devotion — to one’s comrades, one’s family, and one’s adopted home.
Remembering the Meuse-Argonne Offensive: Sacrifice and Triumph in World War I
On this day in 1918, one of the most significant and grueling operations of World War I began: the Meuse-Argonne Offensive. Allied forces, determined to push German troops out of France and back across the border, mobilized more than 1.2 million American soldiers for the multi-week campaign. The offensive marked the largest military operation in U.S. history at that time and came at a tremendous cost. Over 14,000 American soldiers now rest at the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery and Memorial—the largest overseas resting place for U.S. military personnel—standing as a solemn reminder of courage and sacrifice.
The challenges faced by the American Expeditionary Force were formidable. German forces had occupied this region of France for years, establishing extensive defensive positions, including barbed wire, machine gun nests, and fortified trenches. To succeed, American troops would have to fight not only the enemy but also the treacherous terrain itself. The offensive was scheduled to begin at 5:30 a.m. on September 26, 1918, but General John J. Pershing ordered a three-hour artillery bombardment to precede the infantry advance. Military historian Carlo D’Este noted that the Allies expended more ammunition during those three hours than both sides fired in the entirety of the American Civil War—a staggering testament to the scale and intensity of the operation. Estimates suggest the bombardment may have cost as much as $1 million per minute.
Among those delivering firepower was then-Captain Harry S. Truman, commanding a battery of field artillery. He inspired his men with a pep talk: “I want to tell you this, too, fellows. Right tonight I’m where I want to be—in command of this battery. I’d rather be right here than be President of the United States. You boys are my kind. Now let’s go in!” The irony of Truman’s words, given his eventual presidency, underscores the remarkable journeys of the soldiers who fought that day.
Overhead, a World War I ace led five planes, witnessing the bombardment from the sky. He later described it as “a solid belt of flashes, lighting up the world,” a vivid testament to the ferocity of the artillery assault. Meanwhile, on the ground, soldiers steeled themselves for “H hour.” One sergeant later recalled quiet conversations among comrades, arranging for their closest friends to carry messages home should they not survive. Despite fear, determination carried them forward. “At zero hour we started on our greatest of all adventures,” one private recalled. “I cannot truthfully say that I was not somewhat afraid, yet I remember I did not in the least hesitate to scramble up the trench on the word, ‘Let’s go.’”
The fighting was brutal and advances came slowly. Weeks of heavy rain turned the battlefield into mud, bogging down tanks and complicating resupply. German forces, though weakened by a flu epidemic, had fortified positions and high ground. Yet American persistence prevailed. Over weeks of intense combat, the relentless advance forced German troops to retreat, contributing significantly to the Allied victory. The armistice signed on November 11, 1918, finally brought the war to an end, marking a triumph born of extraordinary courage and sacrifice.
Today, the Meuse-Argonne Offensive stands as a testament to the bravery, resilience, and determination of those who fought. It reminds us of the enormous human cost of war and the enduring spirit of the soldiers who faced unimaginable challenges in pursuit of freedom. Lest we forget the men who fought, suffered, and gave their lives for the cause of peace.
