Harold G. Kiner

Saving two comrades during a Siegfried Line assault

Harold G. Kiner served as an Army private in Company F, 117th Infantry, 30th Infantry Division. On 2 October 1944, near Palenberg, Germany, he was among five soldiers leading a frontal attack on a Siegfried Line pillbox. Machine-gun fire pinned the group about 25 yards from the position. When a grenade landed between Kiner and two other soldiers, he threw himself over it. He was killed, but his action saved both comrades. His posthumous Medal of Honor commemorates his decision to protect others during the advance into Germany.

Medal of Honor citation

With four other men, he was leading in a frontal assault 2 October 1944, on a Siegfried line pillbox near Palenberg, Germany. Machine-gun fire from the strongly defended enemy position 25 yards away pinned down the attackers. The Germans threw hand grenades, one of which dropped between Pvt. Kiner and two other men. With no hesitation, Pvt. Kiner hurled himself upon the grenade, smothering the explosion. By his gallant action and voluntary sacrifice of his own life, he saved his two comrades from serious injury or death.