Medal of Honor: Harold G. Kiner, World War II, October 2, 1944

Name: Harold G. Kiner
Rank: Private
War: World War II
Date of Action: October 2, 1944
Unit: Company F, 117th Infantry, 30th Infantry Division
Accredited to: Enid, Oklahoma

Summary of Action
Near Palenberg, Germany, Private Harold Kiner advanced with four other soldiers in a frontal assault against a Siegfried Line pillbox. Machine gun fire raked them from just 25 yards away, pinning the men down. As they pressed forward under the storm of fire, German grenades rained upon them. One rolled between Kiner and two of his comrades. In that instant, he acted without hesitation—hurling himself onto the grenade and smothering the blast with his body. His sacrifice saved the lives of the men beside him, ensuring that the assault could continue. Kiner’s selfless act of devotion stands as the purest form of battlefield heroism.

Medal of Honor Citation
KINER, HAROLD G.
Rank and organization: Private, U.S. Army, Company F, 117th Infantry, 30th Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Palenberg, Germany, 2 October 1944. Entered service at: Enid, Okla. Birth: Aline, Okla. G.O. No.: 48, 23 June 1945. Citation: 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.