"He was with his unit in a dawn attack against hill positions
approachable only along a narrow ridge paralleled on each side by steep
cliffs which were heavily defended by enemy mortars, machine guns, and rifles in well-camouflaged spider holes
and tunnels leading to caves. When the leading element was halted by
intense fire that inflicted 5 casualties, Pfc. Kerstetter passed through
the American line with his squad. Placing himself well in advance of
his men, he grimly worked his way up the narrow steep hogback, meeting the brunt of enemy action. With well-aimed shots and rifle-grenade
fire, he forced the Japs to take cover. He left the trail and moving
down a cliff that offered only precarious footholds, dropped among 4
Japs at the entrance to a cave, fired his rifle from his hip and killed
them all. Climbing back to the trail, he advanced against heavy enemy
machine gun, rifle, and mortar fire to silence a heavy machine gun by
killing its crew of 4 with rifle fire and grenades. He expended his
remaining ammunition and grenades on a group of approximately 20 Japs,
scattering them, and returned to his squad for more ammunition and first
aid for his left hand, which had been blistered by the heat from his
rifle. Resupplied, he guided a fresh platoon into a position from which a
concerted attack could be launched, killing 3 hostile soldiers on the
way. In all, he dispatched 16 Japs that day. The hill was taken and held
against the enemy's counterattacks, which continued for 3 days. Pfc.
Kerstetter's dauntless and gallant heroism was largely responsible for
the capture of this key enemy position, and his fearless attack in the
face of great odds was an inspiration to his comrades in their dangerous
task."
From PFC. Kerstetter's Medal of Honor citation, awarded on November 1, 1945.
Another bad ass taking to the enemy without thinking twice about it!
Brian & Mel
Such a sad demise to such a brave man.
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