Robert H. Dietz - Biography

Biography

Dietz joined the Army from his birthplace of Kingston, New York in March 1942, and by March 29, 1945 was serving as a Staff Sergeant in Company A, 38th Armored Infantry Battalion, 7th Armored Division. On that day, during an attack on Kirchain, Germany, he single-handedly killed several German soldiers defending a bridge into the city and then disabled demolition charges which had been placed under a second bridge. He was killed by enemy fire immediately afterwards, but had successfully cleared the way for the American troops to enter the city. For these actions, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor nine months later, on December 17, 1945. Dietz Memorial Stadium in Kingston is named in his honor and memory.

Dietz, aged 24 at his death, was buried at Wiltwyck Cemetery in his hometown of Kingston, New York.