Max Wolff (soldier)
Max Wolff Filho | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 29 July 1912 Rio Negro, Paraná, Brazil |
| Died | 12 April 1945 (aged 32) Montese, Italy |
| Allegiance | Brazil |
| Branch | Brazilian Army |
| Years of service | 1930–1945 |
| Rank | Sergeant |
| Unit | Brazilian Expeditionary Force |
| Battles / wars | |
| Awards |
|
Max Wolff Filho (July 29, 1912 – April 12, 1945) was a Brazilian Army sergeant, a member of the Brazilian Expeditionary Force who fought in Italy in World War II.
Max Wolff was born in Rio Negro, Paraná, Brazil. He enlisted in 1930 in the city of Curitiba, joining the 15th Hunters Battalion. He served in the Revolution of 1930 and the Constitutionalist Revolution against the Paulistas. During World War II, he was a member of the Brazilian Expeditionary Force, under the command of the US 5th Army. He arrived in Italy in September 1944 and led over 30 patrols.
A few days before his death, Wolff was awarded the US Bronze Star[1] by General Lucian Truscott. First Sergeant Max Wolff died from German machine-gun fire[1] in Riva de Biscaia, near Montese, during a reconnaissance patrol. At the time of his death, Wolff was a widower and left behind a 10-year-old daughter. He was posthumously promoted to second lieutenant for his bravery.[2]
A Brazilian war medal is also named for him.[3]
Medals and awards
[edit]- Combat Cross First Class (Brazilian)
- War Medal (Brazilian)
- Campaign Medal (Brazilian)
- Sangue do Brasil (Blood of Brazil)
Bronze Star (US)
References
[edit]- ^ a b Maximiano, Cesar Campiani; Neto, Ricardo Bonalume (2011-12-20). Brazilian Expeditionary Force in World War II. Bloomsbury Publishing. ISBN 978-1-78096-285-6.
During a reconnaissance patrol before the attack the 11th Infantry suffered the loss of a sergeant who had already earned a reputation for almost suicidal bravery. Max Wolff Filho was part of a Close Combat Platoon (Pelotão de Choque)... he had been awarded a Bronze Star a few days before his death. He was killed by a burst of machine-gun fire, shortly after giving an interview
- ^ "Sargento Max Wolff Filho, coragem e patriotismo". Exército Brasileiro. Ministério da Defesa. 31 July 2017. Retrieved 26 November 2020.
- ^ Cole, Don (31 Dec 1980). "Local Vet, Lt. Col. Lanzendorfer, Given Hero Status by Brazilians". Daily Sun-News. Sunnyside, Washington, USA. pp. 1–2. Retrieved 19 August 2025.
The first, The Max Wolff Filho Medal, issued to national heroes of the grand war for acts of heroism under fire-or, Heroi Nacional DA 2 - Grand Guerra, Mundial. This medal is equivalent to the U.S. Distinguished Service Cross.
External links
[edit]- EsSA Max Wolff Filho (Portuguese)
- Governo do Paraná[permanent dead link] (Portuguese)
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