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Dexter James Kerstetter 1907 - 1972

Dexter James Kerstetter was born on December 21, 1907 in Centralia, Comté de Lewis County, WA États-Unis, and died at age 64 years old on July 9, 1972 in Comté de Kitsap County. Dexter Kerstetter was buried at Tahoma National Cemetery Section 9B Site 12 18600 Se 240th St, in Kent. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Dexter James Kerstetter.

Dexter James Kerstetter
Name
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December 21, 1907
Centralia, Comté de Lewis County, WA, États-Unis
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July 9, 1972
Comté de Kitsap County, WA, États-Unis
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Updated: May 5, 2023
Biography ID: 83154312 What's this
Dexter James Kerstetter Dexter Kerstetter (1907 - 1972)
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Dexter James Kerstetter's History: 1907 - 1972

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  • Introduction

    World War II Medal of Honor Recipient. He received the award from President Harry S. Truman at the White House on October 12, 1945, for his actions as a private first class with Company C, 130th Infantry, 33rd Infantry Division, US Army, on April 13, 1945, near Galiano, Luzon, Philippine Islands. He joined the US Army in March 1942, following the US entry into World War II. Following his recruit and combat training, he was assigned to the Pacific Theater of Operations. On that day, during the liberation of the Philippine Islandsa fight to take a ridge near Galiano, Luzon, the Philippines, he advanced ahead of his squad in a fight to take a ridge, and engaged the Japanese soldiers alone until running out of ammunition. His Medal of Honor citation reads: "He was with his unit in a dawn attack against hill positions appoachable only along a narrow ridge paralleled on each side by steep cliffs which were heavily defended by enemy mortars, machine guns, and rifles in well-camouflaged spider holes and tunnels leading to caves. When the leading element was halted by intense fire that inflicted five casualties, Pfc. Kerstetter passed through the American line with his squad. Placing himself well in advance of his men, he grimly worked his way up the narrow steep hogback, meeting the brunt of enemy action. With well-aimed shots and rifle-grenade fire, he forced the Japs to take cover. He left the trail and, moving down a cliff that offered only precarious footholds, dropped among four Japs at the entrance to a cave, fired his rifle from his hip, and killed them all. Climbing back to the trail, he advanced against heavy enemy machine-gun, rifle, and mortar fire to silence a heavy machine gun by killing its crew of four with rifle fire and grenades. He expended his remaining ammunition and grenades on a group of approximately 20 Japs, scattering them, and returned to his squad for more ammunition and first aid for his left hand, which had been blistered by the heat from his rifle. Resupplied, he guided a fresh platoon into a position from which a concerted attack could be launched, killing three hostile soldiers on the way. In all, he dispatched 16 Japs that day. The hill was taken and held against the enemy's counterattacks, which continued for three days. Pfc. Kerstetter's dauntless and gallant heroism was largely responsible for the capture of this key enemy position, and his fearless attack in the face of great odds was an inspiration to his comrades in their dangerous task."
  • 12/21
    1907

    Birthday

    December 21, 1907
    Birthdate
    Centralia, Comté de Lewis County, WA États-Unis
    Birthplace
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  • Military Service

    Branch of service: Us Army Rank attained: SGT Wars/Conflicts: World War Ii
  • 07/9
    1972

    Death

    July 9, 1972
    Death date
    Unknown
    Cause of death
    Comté de Kitsap County, WA États-Unis
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  • Gravesite & Burial

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    Funeral date
    Tahoma National Cemetery Section 9B Site 12 18600 Se 240th St, in Kent, Wa 98042
    Burial location
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Dexter James Kerstetter
Photo of James Micheal Gaudin James Micheal Gaudin
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05/05/2023
Dexter James Kerstetter
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Dexter Kerstetter's Family Tree & Friends

Dexter Kerstetter's Family Tree

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Dexter James Kerstetter Dec 21, 1907 - Jul 9, 1972
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Other Biographies

Other Kerstetter Family Biographies

Kerstetter, Alma (Jun 2, 1923 - Feb 24, 2006) Kerstetter, Joseph (Sep 5, 1900 - Jul 1981) Kerstetter, Irene (Oct 31, 1926 - Apr 26, 1999) Kerstetter, William (Apr 25, 1913 - Jan 5, 1996) Kerstetter, Margaret (Sep 11, 1939 - Aug 24, 2008) Kerstetter, Richard (Jan 27, 1917 - May 20, 1990) Kerstetter, Lee (Jul 11, 1911 - May 16, 1991) Kerstetter, Sarah (Jul 14, 1928 - May 28, 1994) Kerstetter, Carol (Dec 25, 1942 - Apr 6, 2002) Kerstetter, Ellis (Apr 1, 1918 - Jun 1965)
Kerstetter, Mabelle (Apr 2, 1910 - Aug 1979) Kerstetter, Robert (Nov 29, 1914 - Apr 1982) Kerstetter, Grace (Aug 8, 1911 - Jul 3, 1995) Kerstetter, Margaret (Jul 6, 1902 - Feb 1974) Kerstetter, Irene (Apr 21, 1914 - Apr 1974) Kerstetter, Julia (Dec 24, 1929 - Aug 27, 2004) Kerstetter, Katherine (Mar 17, 1923 - Jan 9, 2000) Kerstetter, Charles (Jul 13, 1907 - Dec 1971) Kerstetter, John (Jan 13, 1923 - Feb 25, 1968) Kerstetter, Donald (Dec 29, 1930 - Dec 17, 2010)
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