b. 14/04/1924 Aline, Oklahoma. d. 02/10/1944 near Palenberg, Germany.
DATE OF MOH ACTION: 02/10/1944 near Palenberg, Germany.
Harold G Kiner MOH
World War II Medal of Honor Recipient. He was posthumously issued the award on June 23, 1945, for his heroic actions as a private with Company F, 117th Infantry, 30th Infantry Division, US Army, on October 2, 1944, near Ubach-Palenberg, Germany. He was also awarded the Purple Heart. His Medal of Honor citation reads: “With 4 other men, he was leading in a frontal assault 2 October 1944, on a Siegfried Line pillbox near Palenberg, Germany. Machinegun fire from the strongly defended enemy position 25 yards away pinned down the attackers. The Germans threw hand grenades, 1 of which dropped between Pvt. Kiner and 2 other men. With no hesitation, Private Kiner hurled himself upon the grenade, smothering the explosion. By his gallant action and voluntary sacrifice of his own life, he saved his 2 comrades from serious injury or death.” His original stone military marker was replaced with a bronze one by 2006. He has a private marker also.
MOH CITATION:
With four other men, he was leading in a frontal assault 2 October 1944, on a Siegfried line pillbox near Palenberg, Germany. Machine-gun fire from the strongly defended enemy position 25 yards away pinned down the attackers. The Germans threw hand grenades, one of which dropped between Pvt. Kiner and two other men. With no hesitation, Pvt. Kiner hurled himself upon the grenade, smothering the explosion. By his gallant action and voluntary sacrifice of his own life, he saved his two comrades from serious injury or death.
BURIAL LOCATION: ALINE (EASTERN STAR) CEMETERY, ALINE, OKLAHOMA.
SECTION A, LOT 94, ROW 6.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: FAMILY.
