Robert H. Dietz was a United States Army soldier and a recipient of the United States military"s highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in World World War World War II
Career
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. He was killed by enemy fire immediately afterwards, but had successfully cleared the way for the American troops to enter the city. Dietz Memorial Stadium in Kingston is named in his honor and memory.
Dietz, age 24 at his death, was buried at Wiltwyck Cemetery in his hometown of Kingston, New New York
Views
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. Between the town"s outlying buildings 300 yards distant and the stalled armored column were a minefield and 2 bridges defended by German rocket-launching teams and riflemen. On his own initiative he advanced alone, scorning the bullets which struck all around him, until he was able to kill the bazooka team defending the first bridge.