Christel, George A.
- Date of birth:
- April 21st, 1918
- Date of death:
- April 30th, 1945 (Okinawa/Ryukyu Islands, Japan)
- Nationality:
- American (1776 - present, Republic)
Biography
Service number 32058640.
George A. Chritsel was born and raised in New Jersey, where he lived in Elizabeth. On 5th February 1941 he was drafted into the Army, and after basic training assigned to Company I, 3rd ("Shamrock") Battalion, 165th Infantry Regiment, 27th Infantry Division. He attended the invasion of Makin Atoll in November 1943. In 1944 he joined in the invasion of Saipan and in April 1945 of Okinawa.
He was killed on Okinawa in an ambush on 30th april 1945. Initially he was interred at the 27th Infantry Division cemetery on Okinawa, but three years later, his remains returned to his home state of New Jersey.
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Good Conduct Medal - Army
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Staff Sergeant
- Unit:
- Company I, 3rd Battalion, 165th Infantry Regiment, 27th Infantry Division
- Awarded on:
- 1943
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Technical Sergeant (then Staff Sergeant)
- Unit:
- Company I, 3rd Battalion, 165th Infantry Regiment, 27th Infantry Division
- Awarded on:
- May 21st, 1944
"For meritorious achievement in connection with military operations against the enemy at Makin Atoll, Gilbert Islands, 20-23 November 1943. Assigned as Platoon Sergeant, Technical Sergeant CHRISTEL was in the first wave of assault boats to land on Butaritari Island. A few minutes after the initial landing, he came upon an enemy outpost consisting of six enemy soldiers. He immediately took charge of the situation and directed fire which annihilated all of the enemy, personally killing one of the enemy, at a range of approximately one hundred yards, who was trying to escape to the main Japanese lines."
General Orders No. 35, 21 May 1944, Headquarters 27th Infantry Division.
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Staff Sergeant
- Unit:
- Company I, 3rd Battalion, 165th Infantry Regiment, 27th Infantry Division
- Awarded on:
- January 30th, 1944
For combat service as an Infantry Platoon Sergeant during the invasion of Makin Atoll, 20 - 23 November 1943.
General Order #9, Hq. 165th Inf., 30 January 1944.
General Order #9, Hq. 165th Inf., 30 January 1944.
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Technical Sergeant
- Unit:
- Company I, 3rd Battalion, 165th Infantry Regiment, 27th Infantry Division
- Awarded on:
- November 23rd, 1945
Citation:
"For heroic achievement in connection with military operations against the enemy at Okinawa Shima, Nansei Shoto, on 25 April 1945. Sergeant CHRISTEL led a rifle platoon attacking a high, well-defended ridge held by Japanese hidden in caves. Enemy machine gun, mortar, and sniper fire impeded the advance of his company. Sergeant CHRISTEL maneuvered his platoon through the heavy concentration of enemy fire to within 200 yards of the foe, while the Japanese directed the majority of their fire against the platoon. This enabled the remainder of the company to advance. One Japanese machine gun in particular inflicted heavy casualties upon his platoon. Abandoning the slight concealment he had, in view of the enemy, he moved through open terrain into the withering crossfire. This he did voluntarily, knowing the hostile positions must be attacked and destroyed. While trying desperately to discover a better route of approach, he was constantly exposed to small arms fire. By his courageous action, Sergeant CHRISTEL furthered the advance of his platoon a total of 200 yards and was responsible for the continuation of his company’s advancement."
Received with "V" for Valor.
General Order 90, HQ 27th infantry Division, 23rd November 1945.
"For heroic achievement in connection with military operations against the enemy at Okinawa Shima, Nansei Shoto, on 25 April 1945. Sergeant CHRISTEL led a rifle platoon attacking a high, well-defended ridge held by Japanese hidden in caves. Enemy machine gun, mortar, and sniper fire impeded the advance of his company. Sergeant CHRISTEL maneuvered his platoon through the heavy concentration of enemy fire to within 200 yards of the foe, while the Japanese directed the majority of their fire against the platoon. This enabled the remainder of the company to advance. One Japanese machine gun in particular inflicted heavy casualties upon his platoon. Abandoning the slight concealment he had, in view of the enemy, he moved through open terrain into the withering crossfire. This he did voluntarily, knowing the hostile positions must be attacked and destroyed. While trying desperately to discover a better route of approach, he was constantly exposed to small arms fire. By his courageous action, Sergeant CHRISTEL furthered the advance of his platoon a total of 200 yards and was responsible for the continuation of his company’s advancement."
Received with "V" for Valor.
General Order 90, HQ 27th infantry Division, 23rd November 1945.
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Technical Sergeant
- Unit:
- Company I, 3rd Battalion, 165th Infantry Regiment, 27th Infantry Division
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Technical Sergeant
- Unit:
- Company I, 3rd Battalion, 165th Infantry Regiment, 27th Infantry Division
- Awarded on:
- February 27th, 2007
As replacement for the CIB.
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Private
- Unit:
- Company I, 3rd Battalion, 165th Infantry Regiment, 27th Infantry Division
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Corporal
- Unit:
- Company I, 3rd Battalion, 165th Infantry Regiment, 27th Infantry Division
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Technical Sergeant
- Unit:
- Company I, 3rd Battalion, 165th Infantry Regiment, 27th Infantry Division
Sources
- Photo 1: Jeff Christel
- - Individual Deceased Personnel File for Technical Sergeant George Adam Christel
- Adjutant General's Battle Death Report for the 27th Infantry Division U.S. Rosters of World War II
- General Orders #35, 21 May 1944, Headquarters 27th Infantry Division
- General Orders #90, 23 November 1945, Headquarters 27th Infantry Division
- U.S. Rosters of World War II Dead 1939-45
Photo
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