Harold G. Kiner

Harold G. Kiner
Harold G. Kiner
Born	April 14, 1924; Aline, Oklahoma, US
Died	October 2, 1944 (aged 20); near Palenberg, Germany
Place of burial	Eastern Star Cemetery, Aline, Oklahoma
Allegiance	United States
Service / branch	United States Army
Rank	Private
Unit	117th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division
Battles / wars	World War II
Awards	Medal of Honor

Harold G. Kiner (April 14, 1924 – October 2, 1944) was a United States Army soldier and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in World War II.

Biography

Kiner joined the Army from Enid, Oklahoma, and by October 2, 1944, was serving as a private in Company F, 117th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division. On that day, near Palenberg, Germany, he smothered the blast of an enemy-thrown hand grenade with his body, sacrificing himself to protect those around him. For this action, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor eight months later, on June 23, 1945.

Kiner, aged 20 at his death, was buried at Eastern Star Cemetery in his birthplace of Aline, Oklahoma.^[1]

Medal of Honor citation

Private Kiner's official Medal of Honor citation reads:

With 4 other men, he was leading in a frontal assault 2 October 1944, on a Siegfried Line pillbox near Palenberg, Germany. Machinegun fire from the strongly defended enemy position 25 yards away pinned down the attackers. The Germans threw hand grenades, 1 of which dropped between Pvt. Kiner and 2 other men. With no hesitation, Private Kiner hurled himself upon the grenade, smothering the explosion. By his gallant action and voluntary sacrifice of his own life, he saved his 2 comrades from serious injury or death.