George Kenton Sisler
First Lieutenant, U.S. Army
Medal of Honor Recipient
Vietnam War

First Lieutenant George Kenton Sisler (19 September 1937 - 7 February 1967) was a U.S. Army intelligence officer who was posthumously awarded the U.S. military's highest award for valor, the Medal of Honor, for his actions in the Vietnam War.

George Kenton Sisler was born on 19 September 1937 in Dexter, MO. He graduated from Dexter High School and was a 1964 graduate of Arkansas State College (now Arkansas State University) with a degree in education. He joined the Army from his birth city of Dexter and became a member of the U.S. Army's Military Intelligence Corps. He was famous for his toughness, once parachuting while having a broken bone.

On 7 February 1967, he was serving as a First Lieutenant in the Headquarters and Headquarters Company of the 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces. On that day, when his unit came under heavy enemy attack in the Republic of Vietnam, Sisler organized the defense, rescued a wounded soldier, and single-handedly attacked an enemy position before being mortally wounded. For his actions during the battle, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.

Medal of Honor

Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, U.S. Army, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces.

Place and date: Republic of Vietnam. 7 February 1967.

Entered service at: Dexter, MO. Born: 19 September 1937, Dexter, MO.

Citation: 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.

Medals and Awards

Medal of Honor
Bronze Star Medal
Purple Heart

Vietnam Veterans Memorial

George Kenton Sisler's name is inscribed on Panel 15E - Line 7.

Honors

• USNS Sisler (T-AKR-311), a Navy Supply ship, is named after him.
• Sisler Hall, a building at Fort Huachuca, AZ, is named after him.
• Sisler's Range, a firing range at Arkansas State University
• Sisler's Raiders, the Ranger Challenge team of Arkansas State University

Death and Burial

First Lieutenant George Kenton Sisler was killed in action on 7 February 1967. He is buried at Dexter Cemetery in his hometown of Dexter, MO.