"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
machine guns. Sgt. Kisters and the officer, unaided and in the face of
intense small arms fire, advanced on the nearest machine gun 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 machine gun 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 machine gun 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."
From Sgt. Kisters' Medal of Honor citation, awarded on February 18, 1944.
May you be at peace,
Brian
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