Medal of Honor: George K. Sisler – U.S. Army – Vietnam War

Name: George K. Sisler
Rank: First Lieutenant
Branch: U.S. Army
Unit: Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces
Place: Republic of Vietnam
Entered Service At: Dexter, Missouri
Born: 19 September 1937, Dexter, Missouri

Summary of Action

While operating deep within enemy-dominated territory, First Lieutenant George K. Sisler served as platoon leader and adviser to a combined U.S.–Vietnamese Special Forces exploitation unit. During a patrol, his platoon was suddenly attacked from three sides by a company-sized enemy force.

1st Lt. Sisler immediately rallied his men, repositioned them into a stronger defensive perimeter, called in air strikes, and moved continuously under fire to direct and encourage his troops. When he learned that two soldiers had been wounded outside the perimeter and were unable to withdraw, he charged through intense enemy fire to reach them.

As he began carrying one wounded man back to safety, enemy fire intensified. Laying the casualty down, 1st Lt. Sisler engaged the onrushing enemy, killing three attackers with rifle fire and silencing an enemy machine gun with a grenade. He then carried the wounded soldier back to the perimeter.

Moments later, the left flank of the position came under a heavy, coordinated assault, wounding several more men and threatening to overrun the position. Realizing immediate action was required, 1st Lt. Sisler seized grenades and charged single-handedly into the enemy attack, firing his weapon and hurling grenades. His fearless counterattack shattered the assault and forced the enemy to withdraw.

Despite continuing hostile fire, he continued moving across the battlefield, directing his men and assisting the wounded. His extraordinary leadership, courage, and selfless devotion to his soldiers saved numerous lives and preserved the fighting integrity of the force.

Medal of Honor Citation

SISLER, GEORGE K.

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life and 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 3 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 2 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 1 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 3 onrushing enemy soldiers by firing his rifle and silenced the enemy machinegun 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 single-handedly 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 additional 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.