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George K. Sisler

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George Kenton Sisler
Head of a solemn-faced young man with short hair wearing a dark military jacket with pins on the lapels over a shirt and tie.
First Lieutenant George Sisler
Born(1937-09-19)September 19, 1937
Dexter, Missouri
DiedFebruary 7, 1967(1967-02-07) (aged 29)
Republic of Vietnam
Place of burial
Dexter Cemetery Dexter, Missouri
AllegianceUnited States United States of America
Service / branchUnited States Army
Years of service1964 - 1967
RankFirst Lieutenant
Unit5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces
Battles / warsVietnam War
AwardsMedal of Honor
Bronze Star
Purple Heart

George Kenton Sisler (September 19, 1937–February 7, 1967) was a United States Army intelligence officer and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in the Vietnam War.

Education and service

After attending Arkansas State University and joining Sigma Pi, Sisler joined the Army from his birth city of Dexter, Missouri in 1964.[1] By February 7, 1967 was serving as a first lieutenant in the Headquarters and Headquarters Company of the 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces. On that day, when his unit came under heavy enemy attack in the Republic of Vietnam, Sisler organized the defense, rescued a wounded soldier, and single-handedly attacked an enemy position before being mortally wounded. For his actions during the battle, he was awarded the Medal of Honor.

Sisler, aged 29 at his death, was buried at Dexter Cemetery in his hometown of Dexter, Missouri. He was a 1964 graduate of Arkansas State College (now Arkansas State University) with a degree in education.[2] He was a member of the U.S. Army's Military Intelligence Corps.

He was also famous for his toughness, once parachuting while having a broken bone. The ASU ROTC department's Ranger Challenge team is named Sisler's Raiders in his honor.

Medal of Honor citation

First Lieutenant Sisler's official Medal of Honor citation reads:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life and above and beyond the call of duty. 1st Lt. Sisler was the platoon leader/adviser to a Special United States/Vietnam exploitation force. While on patrol deep within enemy dominated territory, 1st Lt. Sisler's platoon was attacked from 3 sides by a company sized enemy force. 1st Lt. Sisler quickly rallied his men, deployed them to a better defensive position, called for air strikes, and moved among his men to encourage and direct their efforts. Learning that 2 men had been wounded and were unable to pull back to the perimeter, 1st Lt. Sisler charged from the position through intense enemy fire to assist them. He reached the men and began carrying 1 of them back to the perimeter, when he was taken under more intensive weapons fire by the enemy. Laying down his wounded comrade, he killed 3 onrushing enemy soldiers by firing his rifle and silenced the enemy machinegun with a grenade. As he returned the wounded man to the perimeter, the left flank of the position came under extremely heavy attack by the superior enemy force and several additional men of his platoon were quickly wounded. Realizing the need for instant action to prevent his position from being overrun, 1st Lt. Sisler picked up some grenades and charged single-handedly into the enemy onslaught, firing his weapon and throwing grenades. This singularly heroic action broke up the vicious assault and forced the enemy to begin withdrawing. Despite the continuing enemy fire, 1st Lt. Sisler was moving about the battlefield directing air strikes when he fell mortally wounded. His extraordinary leadership, infinite courage, and selfless concern for his men saved the lives of a number of his comrades. His actions reflect great credit upon himself and uphold the highest traditions of the military service.

Namesake

  • USNS Sisler (T-AKR-311), a Navy Supply ship, is named after him.[3]
  • Sisler Hall, a building at Fort Huachuca, Arizona, is named after him.
  • Sisler's Range, a firing range at Arkansas State University
  • Sisler's Raiders, the Ranger Challenge team of Arkansas State University

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Service Profile
  2. ^ "George Kenton". Archived from the original on July 23, 2008. Retrieved October 5, 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  3. ^ Ellement, John R. (2007-08-11). "Fire damages Navy ship in drydock". The Boston Globe.

References

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