Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Gerry
Herman
Kisters
March 3, 1919

–

May 11, 1986

Cemetery:

Rose Hill Cemetery

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Staff Sergeant

    Batallion:

    91st Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron (Separate)

    Division:

    2d Armored Division (Attached)

    Action Date:

    May 7, 1943
    Headquarters, FIFTH U.S. Army, General Orders No. 51 (July 26, 1943)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Staff Sergeant Gerry Herman Kisters (ASN: 35150942), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company B, 91st Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron (Separate), attached to the 2d Armored Division. On 7 May 1943, near ***, Tunisia, Staff Sergeant Kisters made several individual reconnaissance missions, returning each time with timely and valuable information concerning location of artillery emplacements. Alone, and while subjected to enemy heavy artillery and concentrated machine gun fire, and individual rifle fire, Staff Sergeant Kisters crept forward on an artillery piece which was firing on our forces near ***. By the effective use of his hand grenades and rifle, Staff Sergeant Kisters wiped out the entire crew. The extraordinary heroism, initiative, and devotion to duty with complete disregard for his own welfare displayed by Staff Sergeant Kisters reflect great credit upon himself and the military service, and are deserving of the highest praise.

  • Medal of Honor

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Second Lieutenant (Infantry)

    Batallion:

    91st Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron

    Division:

    1st Infantry Division (attached)

    Action Date:

    July 31, 1943
    War Department, General Orders No. 13 (February 18, 1944)

    The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Second Lieutenant (Infantry) Gerry Herman Kisters (ASN: 35150942), United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action above and beyond the call of duty while serving with Company B, 91st Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron, attached to the 1st Infantry Division. On 31 July 1943, near Gagliano, Sicily, a detachment of one officer and nine enlisted men, including Sergeant 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 two enemy machineguns. Sergeant 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 four. Although the greater part of the remaining small arms fire was now directed on the captured machinegun position, Sergeant Kisters voluntarily advanced alone toward the second gun emplacement. While creeping forward, he was struck five 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 three 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.