William F. Heisler

William F. Heisler, (0447083), Second Lieutenant, Battery “D”, 443rd Coast Artillery Battalion (AA)(Sep), is awarded a Silver Star for gallantry in action on 1 April 1943 near El Guettar, Tunisia. He was in command of a platoon of anti-aircraft half-tracks sited in defense of a command post. The position was dive-bombed by nine enemy airplanes. Although he had instructed the men to seek cover after the bombs were released over their position the crew of one gun refused to leave and continued firing on the attacking aircraft. Lieutenant Heisler assisted this crew until three of the men were seriously wounded. Then although the attack was still in progress and bombs were exploding nearby, he pulled one of the men from the gun platform to safety. Then after assuring himself that the wounded men were being taken care of he went to locate a vehicle to evacuate them. On approaching the gun position he ran over a concealed anti-personnel bomb which wrecked the vehicle. He obtained an ambulance which also was wrecked by running over another concealed bomb. Lieutenant Heisler then secured a second ambulance and evacuated the men. The courage, perseverance, devotion to duty and concern for the welfare of his wounded personnel with complete disregard for his own safety displayed by Lieutenant Heisler reflect great credit upon himself and his organization and are highly commendable.