Alfred B. Nietzel was born on April 27, 1921 in Jamaica, Queens County, New York. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II as a Sergeant in Company H, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division. He was killed in action at Heistern, Germany on November 18, 1944 at the age of 23. He was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously by President Barack Obama at the White House on March 18, 2014. It was presented to his cousin Robert Nietzel. His Medal of Honor citation reads: 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 machinegun 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.
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