"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life above and
beyond the call of duty. Pfc. Kessler, acting without orders, raced 50
yards (46 m) through a hail of machine gun fire, which had killed 5 of
his comrades and halted the advance of his company, in order to form an
assault group to destroy the machine gun. Ordering 3 men to act as a base
of fire, he left the cover of a ditch and snaked his way to a point
within 50 yards (46 m) of the enemy machine gun before he was discovered,
whereupon he plunged headlong into the furious chain of automatic fire. Reaching a spot within 6 feet (1.8 m) of the emplacement he stood over
it and killed both the gunner and his assistant, jumped into the gun
position, overpowered and captured a third German after a short
struggle. The remaining member of the crew escaped, but Pfc. Kessler
wounded him as he ran. While taking his prisoner to the rear, this
soldier saw 2 of his comrades killed as they assaulted an enemy
strong point, fire from which had already killed 10 men in the company. Turning his prisoner over to another man, Pfc. Kessler crawled 35 yards
(32 m) to the side of 1 of the casualties, relieved him of his BAR
and ammunition and continued on toward the strong point, 125 yards
(114 m) distant. Although 2 machine guns concentrated their fire directly
on him and shells exploded within 10 yards (9.1 m), bowling him over,
Pfc. Kessler crawled 75 yards (69 m), passing through an antipersonnel minefield
to a point within 50 yards (46 m) of the enemy and engaged the
machine guns in a duel. When an artillery shell burst within a few feet
of him, he left the cover of a ditch and advanced upon the position in a
slow walk, firing his BAR from the hip. Although the enemy poured heavy
machine gun and small arms fire at him, Pfc. Kessler succeeded in
reaching the edge of their position, killed the gunners, and captured 13
Germans. Then, despite continuous shelling, he started to the rear. After going 25 yards (23 m), Pfc. Kessler was fired upon by 2 snipers
only 100 yards (91 m) away. Several of his prisoners took advantage of
this opportunity and attempted to escape; however, Pfc. Kessler hit the
ground, fired on either flank of his prisoners, forcing them to cover,
and then engaged the 2 snipers in a fire fight, and captured them. With
this last threat removed, Company K continued its advance, capturing its
objective without further opposition. Pfc. Kessler was killed in a
subsequent action."
From PFC. Kessler's Medal of Honor citation, awarded on January 4, 1945.
May you be at peace,
Brian
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