"On 19 December 1944 he was ordered with his heavy machinegun squad to
the support of an infantry company attacking the outer defense of the
Siegfried Line near Berg, Germany. For 8 hours he maintained a position
made almost untenable by the density of artillery and mortar fire concentrated upon it and the proximity of enemy troops who threw hand grenades
into the emplacement. While all other members of his squad became
casualties, he remained at his gun. When he ran out of ammunition, he
fearlessly dashed across bullet-swept, open terrain to secure a new
supply from a disabled friendly tank. A fierce barrage pierced the water jacket
of his gun, but he continued to fire until the weapon overheated and
jammed. Instead of withdrawing, he crawled 50 yards across cover-less
ground to another of his company's machine guns which had been silenced
when its entire crew was killed. He continued to man this gun, giving
support vitally needed by the infantry. At one time he came under direct
fire from a hostile tank, which shot the glove from his hand with an armor-piercing shell
but could not drive him from his position or stop his shooting. When
the American forces were ordered to retire to their original positions,
he remained at his gun, giving the only covering fire. Finally
withdrawing, he cradled the heavy weapon in his left arm, slung a belt
of ammunition over his shoulder, and walked to the rear, loosing small
bursts at the enemy as he went. One hundred yards from safety, he was
struck in the leg by a mortar shell; but, with a supreme effort, he
crawled the remaining distance, dragging along the gun which had served
him and his comrades so well. By his remarkable perseverance,
indomitable courage, and heroic devotion to his task in the face of
devastating fire, T/Sgt. Gerstung gave his fellow soldiers powerful
support in their encounter with formidable enemy forces."
From T/Sgt. Gerstung's Medal of Honor citation, awarded on September 5, 1945.
Thank you for your service and may you be at peace,
Brian & Melonie
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