b. 19/09/1937 Dexter, Missouri. d. 07/02/1967 Vietnam.
DATE OF MOH ACTION: 07/02/1967 Vietnam.
George K Sisler MOH
George Kenton Sisler was born on September 19, 1937, in Dexter, Missouri, to George R. Sisler and Grace Fransada Sisler. Sisler attended what is now Arkansas State University in Jonesboro (Craighead County), where he distinguished himself by winning the 1963 National Collegiate Skydiving Championship while his leg was in a cast. He graduated in 1964 with a BS in education. He enlisted in the U.S. Army on August 20, 1964.
Sisler went to Vietnam as a first lieutenant and intelligence officer with the Headquarters Company of the Fifth Special Forces Group (Airborne), First Special Forces. He was serving as platoon leader and adviser of a platoon of combined U.S. and South Vietnamese soldiers deep behind enemy lines on February 7, 1967, when they were attacked from three sides by a company-sized enemy force. Sisler quickly rallied his men and established a defensive perimeter, calling in air strikes on their attackers.
On learning that two of his men were still outside the perimeter, Sisler—according to his Medal of Honor citation—“charged from the position through intense enemy fire to assist them.” He was carrying one of the men back to his lines when they came under heavy fire. Laying the man down, “he killed 3 onrushing enemy soldiers by firing his rifle and silenced the enemy machinegun with a grenade.”
Sisler had just brought the wounded soldier within the defensive perimeter when an intense enemy attack threatened his left flank and wounded several of his men. According to his Medal of Honor citation, “1st Lt. Sisler picked up some grenades and charged singlehandedly into the enemy onslaught, firing his weapon and throwing grenades.” His one-man attack forced the enemy to retreat, and as Sisler moved among his men, calling in additional air strikes, he was mortally wounded.
Sisler’s widow, Jane, and sons David and James received his Medal of Honor from Secretary of War Stanley R. Resor on June 27, 1968. In 1998, a non-commissioned U.S. Navy support vessel, the Sisler, named in George Kenton Sisler’s honor, was launched. It serves in Afloat Prepositioning Ship Squadron Four at Diego Garcia, British Indian Ocean.
Sisler is buried in Dexter Cemetery in Dexter. His name is included on Panel 15E, Row 007 on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington DC.
MOH CITATION:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life 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 three 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 two 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 one 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 three onrushing enemy soldiers by firing his rifle and silenced the enemy machine gun 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 singlehandedly 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 force and several men of his platoon were quickly 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.
BURIAL LOCATION: DEXTER CEMETERY, DEXTER, MISSOURI.
ORIGINAL CEMETERY, 3RD SECTION, LOT 706.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: FAMILY.
