George K. Sisler


George Kenton Sisler was a United States Army intelligence officer and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in the Vietnam War.

Personal life

Sisler was the son of Mr. and Mrs. George R. Sisler of Dexter, Missouri. He was married to Jane and had two sons, David and James.
Sisler also worked as an Alaskan smokejumper to fight wildfires in remote parts of the state.

Education and service

Sisler served in the United States Air Force from 1958 to 1962. After attending Arkansas State University and joining the Sigma Pi fraternity, Sisler was commissioned in the Army from his birth city of Dexter, Missouri, in 1964. By February 7, 1967, he was serving as a first lieutenant in the Headquarters and Headquarters Company of the 5th Special Forces Group, 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 awarded the Medal of Honor.
Sisler, aged 29 at his death, was buried at Dexter Cemetery in his hometown of Dexter, Missouri. He was a 1964 graduate of Arkansas State College with a degree in education. He was a member of the U.S. Army's Military Intelligence Corps.
He was also famous for his toughness, once parachuting despite a broken leg. The ASU ROTC department's Ranger Challenge team is named Sisler's Raiders in his honor.

Medal of Honor citation

First Lieutenant Sisler's official Medal of Honor citation reads:

Namesake