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SEIFERT, JOHN S/Sgt. G.O. #41, 10 Feb 1945, 104th Inf. Div.
 Staff Sergeant John Seifert, Infantry, Company L, 414th Infantry, United States Army, for gallantry in action in Germany on December 5, 1944.
The company to which Sergeant Seifert was assigned attacked a huge factory in the early morning hours, driving the enemy to prepared positions across the narrow street from the factory. After repelling several counter attacks the company consolidated its position, and the enemy immediately placed incessant concentrations of artillery and mortar fire on their positions. Despite the intense fire the company retained its position and prepared to meet the counter attack which would inevitably follow the barrage. As the enemy infantry moved out of their positions, Sergeant Seifert led his light machine gun squad to the threatened point and directed fire against the attacking forces. Then, with complete disregard for his personal safety, he moved to an exposed position and fired rifle grenades at the advancing enemy troops and forced them to withdraw. Exhausting his supply of grenades, he crawled back to the factory, seized an enemy anti-tank rocket launcher, moved through the devestating fire to his former position, and forced the enemy to abandon two machine gun emplacements with his accurate fire. As the enemy ran from their positions, Sergeant Seifert's machine guns pinned them to the ground and inflicted numerous casualties. When the company was ordered to withdraw, Sergeant Seifert voluntarily covered the withdrawal by firing rockets at the enemy from an exposed position. The fearlessness and initiative of Sergeant Seifert throughout this action were responsible for the destruction of several enemy emplacements, the repulsion of a counter attack, and the successful withdrawal of the company prior to elimination of enemy fortifications by friendly artillery. His heroic actions, executed with complete disregard for personal safety, reflect the highest credit on himself and the armed forces of the United States. John Seifert entered military service from Dayton, Kentucky. |
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