Harrol Lee Kiser

Colonel, U. S. Marine Corps

Navy Cross

GENERAL ORDERS:
Authority: Board of Awards: Serial 1038 (November 1, 1951)
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to First Lieutenant Harrol Kiser (MCSN: 0-47874), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as a Platoon Commander in Company B, First Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in the Republic of Korea on 3 December 1950. After leading his men in a fierce attack on hostile positions near Hagaru-ri, which added three more casualties to his already badly depleted platoon, First Lieutenant Kiser boldly engaged his unit, with the rest of the company committed in the action, in a fresh assault to gain higher ground. Skillfully reorganizing his platoon and inspiring them to heroic efforts, he personally headed the remaining eighteen men in an aggressive attack against an estimated sixty of the enemy, armed with automatic weapons and reinforced with heavy machine guns and mortars. Although painfully wounded, he steadfastly remained in an exposed position, directing and encouraging his men until the hostile positions were completely overrun. By his superb leadership, he served to inspire his men to heroic efforts in killing thirty-nine of the enemy and in firmly securing the assigned objective without further loss of life to his platoon. His great personal courage, valiant fighting spirit and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of tremendous odds reflect the highest credit upon First Lieutenant Kiser and the United States Naval Service.

CITATION:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Harrol Kiser (MCSN: 0-47874), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a Rifle Platoon Commander of Company B, First Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea, from 22 December 1950 to 26 January 1951. With his platoon besieged by numerically superior hostile forces while fighting a rear guard action covering the reorganization of the company during its return to the battalion perimeter near Chisa-don, on 25 January, First Lieutenant Kiser boldly led his men in repulsing numerous fanatical enemy attacks. Although painfully wounded, he continually exposed himself to hostile fire to direct and supervise his unit, shouting words of encouragement to the men and helping to remove the casualties to a position of comparative safety. Through his daring leadership and aggressive fighting spirit, he contributed materially to the success of his platoon in infliction of severe losses upon the enemy, thereby enabling his company to reach the battalion perimeter with a minimum of casualties. By his marked courage, fortitude and steadfast devotion to duty, First Lieutenant Kiser served to inspire all who observed him and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

CITATION:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Lieutenant Colonel Harrol Kiser (MCSN: 0-47874), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service as the Chief, Management Division, Office of the Comptroller, Headquarters, United States Military Assistance Command, Vietnam, from 23 June 1967 to 18 June 1968. His service was characterized by a series of significant and impressive achievements. Lieutenant Colonel Kiser's efforts in establishing COMUSMACV's Project MACONOMY, the first formal, organized effort to promote cost-consciousness in a combat zone, was most commendable. He was directly responsible for the Piaster Expenditure Reduction Program which contributed immeasurably to arrest inflation and stabilize the economy of the Republic of Vietnam. He developed a coherent, viable HQ MACV Management System that provides the headquarters with a management tool which can capitalize upon the technique of management by exception. His professional competence and outstanding achievements, leadership, judgment and inspiring devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.