27 April 1921 – 18 November 1944

Hometown

New York City, New York

Service number

12018923

Rank

Sergeant

Unit

Company H, 16th Infantry Regiment

Award(s)

Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross*, Bronze Star Medal

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Citation: On 18 March 2014, the President of the United States of America, authorized by an Act of Congress, March 3, 1863, has awarded, in the name of Congress, the Medal of Honor to Sergeant Alfred B. Nietzel, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Sergeant Alfred B. Nietzel distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a section leader for Company H, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division during combat operations against an armed enemy in Heistern, Germany on November 18, 1944. That afternoon, Sergeant Nietzel fought tenaciously to repel a vicious enemy attack against his unit. Sergeant Nietzel employed accurate, intense fire from his machinegun and successfully slowed the hostile advance. However, the overwhelming enemy force continued to press forward. Realizing he desperately needed reinforcements, Sergeant Nietzel ordered the three remaining members of his squad to return to the company command post and secure aid. He immediately turned his attention to covering their movement with his fire. After expending all his machine gun ammunition, Sergeant Nietzel began firing his rifle into the attacking ranks until he was killed by the explosion of an enemy grenade. Sergeant Nietzel’s extraordinary heroism and selflessness at the cost of his own life, above and beyond the call of duty, are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.

Citation: Under the provisions of AR 600-45, 22 September 1943, as amended, and pursuant to authority contained in paragraph 3c, Section I, Circular 32, Headquarters European Theater of Operations, United States Army, 20 March 1944, the Distinguished Service Cross* is posthumously awarded to Sergeant Alfred B. Nietzel, 12018923, 16th Infantry, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action against the enemy on 18 November 1944, in Germany. When a powerful enemy assault threatened to overrun his machine gun position, Sergeant Nietzel opened fire and slowed the hostile advance. Despite the accuracy and intensity of his fire, the enemy continued to close in upon his position. Realizing the need for reinforcements, Sergeant Nietzel ordered the three remaining members of his squad to return to the company command post and secure aid, covering their movement with his fire. When his machine gun ammunition was expended, he fired his rifle into the attacking ranks until he was killed by the explosion of an enemy grenade. By his superb courage and unhesitating self-sacrifice, Sergeant Nietzel delayed the enemy sufficiently, permitting reinforcements to occupy defensive positions and stop the hostile drive. Entered military service from New York.

* This award was upgraded to the Medal of Honor on March 18, 2014.

Citation: Under the provisions of AR 600-45, 22 September 1943, as amended, and in accordance with authority contained in paragraph 4, Section I, Circular 66, Headquarters First U.S. Army, 18 May 1944, Alfred B. Nietzel, 12018923, Corporal (then Private First Class), Company H, 16th Infantry Regiment, is awarded the Bronze Star Medal for heroic achievement in connection with military operations against the enemy in the vicinity of El Guettar, Tunisia, 2 April 1943. When besieging enemy forces threatened his unit’s security, Corporal Nietzel, disregarding heavy artillery and machine-gun fire, courageously crossed hazardous terrain and delivered such effective rocket fire that he compelled an enemy tank to withdraw. Corporal Nietzel’s skill and resoluteness were an inspiration to those who witnessed his act. Residence at enlistment: Hempstead, New York.