Gerry H. Kisters
Gerry Herman Kisters (March 2, 1919 – May 11, 1986) was a United States Army soldier and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in World War II.
Gerry H. Kisters | |
|---|---|
| Born | March 2, 1919 Salt Lake City, Utah |
| Died | May 11, 1986 (aged 67) Bloomington, Indiana |
| Place of burial | Rose Hill Cemetery, Bloomington, Indiana |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/ | United States Army |
| Rank | First Lieutenant |
| Unit | 91st Reconnaissance Squadron, 2nd Armored Division |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards | Medal of Honor Distinguished Service Cross |
Biography
Kisters was born in Salt Lake City, Utah to a family that had worked in the fur trade for generations; his family moved to Bloomington, Indiana in 1937, where his father opened a fur shop. Kisters worked for his father and then opened his own fur shop in Vincennes, Indiana, operating it for several years before he was drafted in January 1941. He was assigned to a reconnaissance unit training at Fort Bliss, Texas.
By 1942 Kisters' unit, formerly attached to the 1st Cavalry, had become an independent unit, the 91st Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron. At the end of 1942 they were sent to Casablanca to join the North African Campaign. On May 7, 1943 Kisters, now a staff sergeant, surprised and killed the crew of a German 88 mm artillery gun, earning a Distinguished Service Cross.
By July 31, 1943 Kisters' unit was attached to the 2nd Armored Division. On that day, near Gagliano, Sicily, he and an officer captured an enemy machine gun position. Kisters then went forward alone and, although wounded on his approach, single-handedly captured a second machine gun emplacement. He was subsequently promoted to second lieutenant and, on February 18, 1944, was awarded his Distinguished Service Cross and the Medal of Honor.[1] He was the first American soldier to be awarded both during World War II.[2] He was featured in war bond drives and the Monroe County Airport was named Kisters Field in his honor.
Kisters was sent back to America and spent months recovering from his injuries. After his recovery he taught reconnaissance at Fort Riley, Kansas and reached the rank of first lieutenant. After the war he reopened his fur shop and became a successful businessman.[3]
He died at age 67 and was buried at Rose Hill Cemetery in Bloomington, Indiana.
Medal of Honor citation
Kisters' official Medal of Honor citation reads:
On 31 July 1943, near Gagliano, Sicily, 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.
References
- https://history.army.mil/html/moh/wwII-g-l.html#KISTERS Kisters' entry, Army website listing of Medal of Honor recipients
- http://www.indianamilitary.org/YANK/1944-04-21%20Yank%20Magazine.pdf Yank, the Army Weekly, April 21, 1944, article by Mack Morriss, p. 2 (includes photo of Kisters)
- America's Heroes: Medal of Honor Recipients from the Civil War to Afghanistan, ed. James Willbanks, ABC-CLIO, 2011, p. 171-3
- "Gerry H. Kisters". Claim to Fame: Medal of Honor recipients. Find a Grave. Retrieved 2008-01-22.
- "Medal of Honor recipients - World War II (G–L)". Medal of Honor citations. United States Army Center of Military History. June 8, 2009. Retrieved 2008-01-22.