Gerry Herman Kisters
First Lieutenant, U.S. Army
Medal of Honor Recipient
World War II

First Lieutenant Gerry Herman Kisters (2 March 1919 - 11 May 1986) was a U.S. Army officer and a recipient of the U.S. military's highest award for valor, the Medal of Honor, for his actions during World War II.

Gerry Herman Kisters was born on 2 March 1919 in Salt Lake City, UT. He joined the Army from Bloomington, IN. On 31 July 1943, he was serving as a Sergeant in the 2nd Armored Division. Near Gagliano, Sicily, that day, 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 awarded the Medal of Honor.

Medal of Honor

Rank and organization: Second Lieutenant (then Sergeant), U.S. Army, 2nd Armored Division.

Place and date: Near Gagliano, Sicily, 31 July 1943.

Citation: 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.

He was presented his Medal of Honor on 8 February 1944 at the White House by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Kisters reached the rank of First Lieutenant before leaving the Army.

Medals and Awards

Medal of Honor
Distinguished Service Cross
Purple Heart

Honors

The Monroe County Airport is named Kisters Field in his honor.

Death and Burial

First Lieutenant Gerry Herman Kisters died on 11 May 1986 at age 67. He is buried at Rose Hill Cemetery in Bloomington, IN, in Section G, Lot 74.