Chester Hirschfelder
Chester John Hirschfelder was a career soldier in the United States Army. A decorated veteran of four wars, Hirschfelder was a three time recipient of the Distinguished Service Cross and served as the commanding officer of the Infantry Regiment (United States)|9th Infantry Regiment] during World War II.
Early life and military career
Hirschfelder was born on January 10, 1894, in Fort Wayne, Indiana. In 1909, he enlisted in the United States Army as a private, and was assigned to Company I, 26th Infantry Regiment. Aged only 15 at the time of his enlistment, Hirschfelder changed his date of birth to 1891 in order to enlist, something which he would not correct until 1942. In eight years with the 26th Infantry, Hirschfelder rose to the rank to Sergeant and saw service in both the Philippine–American War and Pancho Villa Expedition.World War I
As a result of the expansion of the United States Army that was necessary during World War I, Hirschfelder was commissioned a Second lieutenant on July 11, 1917. He was assigned to the newly formed 5th Machine Gun Battalion, a unit within the 2nd Division's 3rd Infantry Brigade. Hirschfelder received promotions to both First Lieutenant and Captain during World War I. While serving with the battalion, Captain Hirschfelder earned two Silver Star's, and the first of three Distinguished Service Crosses for single-handedly silencing an enemy machine gun position with grenades.Interwar period
After serving briefly during the occupation of Germany, Hirschfelder and the 2nd Division returned to the United States. Hirschfelder was commissioned a First lieutenant of Infantry within the Regular Army on July 1, 1920. He was later promoted to Captain, with the same date of rank, and assigned to the 9th Infantry Regiment. He graduated from the Company Officers Course at the United States Army Infantry School in 1923. Like many in the interwar Regular Army, Hirschfelder advanced slowly, only receiving promotions to Major and Colonel (United States)|Lieutenant Colonel] in 1935 and 1940 respectively. At the outset of World War II, he was serving as a Lieutenant Colonel within the 9th Infantry Regiment.World War II
Hirschfelder was transferred to the 352nd Infantry Regiment of the 88th Infantry Division in January of 1942, to serve as the executive officer. He served in this role until February of 1942, when the regiment was disbanded upon the reorganization of the division. In July of that year, he was reassigned to the 9th Infantry Regiment as the commanding officer, with the rank of Colonel. As commander of the 9th Infantry, Hirschfelder led the regiment during their landing and subsequent combat during Operation Overlord. During a five day period from the 28th of July to the 2nd of August, Hirschfelder was awarded his second and third Distinguished Service Crosses.He continued in command of the 9th Infantry Regiment during the Siegfried Line campaign and during the Battle of the Bulge. Hirschfelder was replaced as commanding officer on the January 10, 1945 by Colonel Philip De Witt Ginder, a veteran of the 8th and 90th Infantry Divisions, and briefly returned to the United States. He returned to Europe that March, to serve as the executive officer of the 17th Infantry Replacement Depot in France. That April, he was made commander of the 16th Infantry Replacement Depot, which he commanded until that June.
Postwar and retirement
Afer returning to the United States in August of 1945, Colonel Hirschfelder was a patient at Brooke General Hospital in Fort Sam Houston, Texas until January of 1946. That June, he was assigned to the War Department Manpower Board in Dallas and San Antonio. Later that August, he began an assignment as the executive officer of Fort Sam Houston, for which he would serve until July of 1948. After a brief stint at Fort Amador in Panama, Hirschfelder returned to Fort Sam Houston in May of 1949, serving as the Acting Inspector General of the post until his retirement on the 1st of August.Personal life and death
Chester Hirschfelder was married to Ethel Leona Thomas Hirschfelder until his death on August 24, 1968. He was interred at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas, where his wife was also laid to rest in 1987.Awards and decorations
| Foreign Awards & Decorations |
| Personal decorations |
| Knight of the French Legion of Honour |
| French Croix de Guerre with Palm |
| British Distinguished Service Order |
| Unit awards |
| French Fourragère |