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Rank and organization: Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company K, 15th Infantry,
3d Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Bennwihr, France, 2324 December
1944. Entered service at: Youngstown, Ohio. Birth: Greenville, Pa. Citation:
He distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above
and beyond the call of duty on 23 and 24 December 1944, near Bennwihr,
France. Early in the attack S/Sgt. Kefurt jumped through an opening in
a wall to be confronted by about 15 Germans. Although outnumbered he opened
fire, killing 10 and capturing the others. During a seesaw battle which
developed he effectively adjusted artillery fire on an enemy tank close
to his position although exposed to small arms fire. When night fell he
maintained a 3-man outpost in the center of the town in the middle of the
German positions and successfully fought off several hostile patrols attempting
to penetrate our lines. Assuming command of his platoon the following morning
he led it in hand-to-hand fighting through the town until blocked by a
tank. Using rifle grenades he forced surrender of its crew and some supporting
infantry. He then continued his attack from house to house against heavy
machinegun and rifle fire. Advancing against a strongpoint that was holding
up the company, his platoon was subjected to a strong counterattack and
infiltration to its rear. Suffering heavy casualties in their exposed position
the men remained there due to S/Sgt. Kefurt's personal example of bravery,
determination and leadership. He constantly exposed himself to fire by
going from man to man to direct fire. During this time he killed approximately
15 of the enemy at close range. Although severely wounded in the leg he
refused first aid and immediately resumed fighting. When the forces to
his rear were pushed back 3 hours later, he refused to be evacuated, but,
during several more counterattacks moved painfully about under intense
small arms and mortar fire, stiffening the resistance of his platoon by
encouraging individual men and by his own fire until he was killed. As
a result of S/Sgt. Kefurt's gallantry the position was maintained.
This data was extracted from the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, U.S. Senate, Medal of Honor Recipients: 1863-1973 (Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1973)
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