SALUTE TO VETERANS 2025: The heroism of 1st Lt. George K. Sisler: A Medal of Honor story

STODDARD COUNTY — In the face of overwhelming danger, duty’s call cares little about one’s personal background or pedigree. For Dexter native 1st Lt. George K. Sisler, his call came on Feb. 7, 1967.

The events of that day led to his death and his posthumous reception of the nation’s highest military award: the Medal of Honor.

Known as Kenny to his friends and family, he grew up in Stoddard County.

According to area residents James and Evlyn Anderson, “He was always getting into a little trouble and was a good shot with a rifle.”

He served in the Air Force from 1958-1962. Later, Sisler attended Arkansas State University. He graduated in 1964 and was commissioned as an intelligence officer in the Army shortly after.

According to the Army’s Intelligence Knowledge Network, “This was a cover assignment, as he was actually serving with a recently declassified organization known as the Studies and Observation Group (SOG), an innocuous name for a covert, CIA-backed mission known as Operations Plan (OPLAN)-34A.”

Sisler set himself apart from his peers to join the elite Green Berets, deploying to Vietnam twice.

His second tour of duty brought him to, “deep within enemy dominated territory,” his MoH citation stated.

First Lt. Sisler served as a platoon leader and advisor to a mixed force of American and Republic of Vietnam troops. His platoon came under fire from a company-sized enemy force.

“1LT Sisler quickly rallied his men, deployed them to a better defensive position, called for air strikes, and moved among his men to encourage and direct their efforts,” the citation said.

Following this action, he learned two of his men were wounded and could not retreat to the new position. Sisler took it upon himself to charge the enemy lines to retrieve the men. Coming under heavy fire, he killed three enemy combatants who tried to rush him.

Sisler proceeded to silence a machine gun position with a grenade. He returned the first wounded man to safety but discovered the left flank of his position was under heavy assault.

“Realizing the need for instant action to prevent his position from being overrun, 1LT Sisler picked up some grenades and charged single-handedly into the enemy onslaught, firing his weapon and throwing grenades,” the citation informed. “This singularly heroic action broke up the vicious assault and forced the enemy to begin withdrawing.”

Severely wounded, Sisler succumbed to his injuries after the firefight.

His wife, Jane, received the Medal of Honor on behalf of her husband at a 1968 ceremony at the Pentagon. He left a lasting legacy behind him for his wife and two sons, David and James.

The U.S. Military Sealift Command named the Watson-class transport ship T-AKR-311 in his honor. The ship was commissioned as USNS Sisler in 1998 and remains in service today.

Arkansas State University named Sisler a distinguished graduate. Each year, the university’s Reserve Officer Training Corps holds a competition of military and athletic ability bearing his name.

At the Army’s Fort Huachuca in Arizona, one of the base’s buildings is named after him.

His legacy of service and courage looms large over Dexter and Southeast Missouri. The Stars and Stripes Museum in Bloomfield, along with the Stoddard County Historical Society, retains a number of artifacts including two of Sisler’s parachutes, portraits, and a life preserver from USNS Sisler.

As his citation concluded, “His extraordinary leadership, infinite courage, and selfless concern for his men saved the lives of a number of his comrades.”