Medal of Honor: Gus Kefurt – World War II – France – December 1944

Name: Gus Kefurt
Rank: Staff Sergeant
Organization: U.S. Army
Unit: Company K, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division
Place: Near Bennwihr, France
Entered Service At: Youngstown, Ohio
Born: Greenville, Pennsylvania

---

Summary of Action

On 23 December 1944, during fierce fighting near Bennwihr, France, Staff Sergeant Gus Kefurt distinguished himself by extraordinary gallantry while leading elements of Company K in close-quarters combat against determined German forces. Early in the battle, he leapt through a wall opening and found himself face-to-face with approximately fifteen enemy soldiers. Though vastly outnumbered, he opened fire at close range, killing ten and capturing the remainder.

As the battle surged back and forth through the town, Staff Sergeant Kefurt repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire to adjust artillery against a hostile tank threatening his position. That night, with only two other men, he established and held an isolated outpost in the center of the town—deep within enemy lines—repelling multiple German patrols attempting to break through American defenses.

The following morning, assuming command of his platoon, he led brutal hand-to-hand fighting through Bennwihr’s streets. When a tank halted the advance, he used rifle grenades to force the surrender of its crew and supporting infantry. Pressing forward house by house under intense machinegun and rifle fire, his platoon was eventually counterattacked and partially surrounded. Despite mounting casualties, the men held fast, inspired by his fearless leadership.

Severely wounded in the leg, Staff Sergeant Kefurt refused medical aid and continued directing fire, personally killing approximately fifteen enemy soldiers at close range. Even after German forces penetrated behind his platoon hours later, he again refused evacuation and moved painfully among his men under mortar and small-arms fire, encouraging them and stiffening their resolve. He fought on until he was killed in action. His gallantry and leadership were directly responsible for holding the position against repeated enemy assaults.

---

Medal of Honor Citation

He distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty on 23 and 24 December 1944, near Bennwihr, France. Early in the attack S/Sgt. Kefurt jumped through an opening in a wall to be confronted by about 15 Germans. Although outnumbered he opened fire, killing 10 and capturing the others. During a seesaw battle which developed he effectively adjusted artillery fire on an enemy tank close to his position although exposed to small arms fire. When night fell he maintained a 3-man outpost in the center of the town in the middle of the German positions and successfully fought off several hostile patrols attempting to penetrate our lines. Assuming command of his platoon the following morning he led it in hand-to-hand fighting through the town until blocked by a tank. Using rifle grenades he forced surrender of its crew and some supporting infantry. He then continued his attack from house to house against heavy machinegun and rifle fire. Advancing against a strongpoint that was holding up the company, his platoon was subjected to a strong counterattack and infiltration to its rear. Suffering heavy casualties in their exposed position the men remained there due to S/Sgt. Kefurt’s personal example of bravery, determination and leadership. He constantly exposed himself to fire by going from man to man to direct fire. During this time he killed approximately 15 of the enemy at close range. Although severely wounded in the leg he refused first aid and immediately resumed fighting. When the forces to his rear were pushed back 3 hours later, he refused to be evacuated, but, during several more counterattacks moved painfully about under intense small arms and mortar fire, stiffening the resistance of his platoon by encouraging individual men and by his own fire until he was killed. As a result of S/Sgt. Kefurt’s gallantry the position was maintained.