| Birth: | Mar. 3, 1919 | | Death: | May 11, 1986 | 
World War II Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient. He served in the United States Army during World War II as a 1st Lieutenant in Troop B, the 91st Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron, which at different times was attached to the 9th Infantry Division and the 2nd Armored Division. He was awarded the CMOH for his bravery while a Sergeant near Gagliano, Sicily. His citation reads “On July 31, 1943 a detachment of 1 officer and 9 enlisted men, including Sgt. Kisters, advancing ahead of the leading elements of U.S. troops to fill a large crater in the only available vehicle route through Gagliano, was taken under fire by 2 enemy machineguns. Sgt. Kisters and the officer, unaided and in the face of intense small arms fire, advanced on the nearest machinegun emplacement and succeeded in capturing the gun and its crew of 4. Although the greater part of the remaining small arms fire was now directed on the captured machinegun position, Sgt. Kisters voluntarily advanced alone toward the second gun emplacement. While creeping forward, he was struck 5 times by enemy bullets, receiving wounds in both legs and his right arm. Despite the wounds, he continued to advance on the enemy, and captured the second machinegun after killing 3 of its crew and forcing the fourth member to flee. The courage of this soldier and his unhesitating willingness to sacrifice his life, if necessary, served as an inspiration to the command. He was presented his Medal of Honor on February 8, 1944 at the White House by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Previously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, he was the first American soldier in World War II to be awarded both medals.
Search Amazon for Gerry Kisters | | | Burial:
Rose Hill Cemetery
Bloomington
Monroe County
Indiana, USA
Plot: Section G, Lot 74 |
Maintained by: Find A Grave
Originally Created by: Don Morfe
Record added: Sep 20, 2003
Find A Grave Memorial# 7882379 |
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