Chester Hirschfelder

Chester John Hirschfelder
Chester John Hirschfelder
Born	January 10, 1894 Fort Wayne, Indiana, U.S.
Died	August 24, 1968(1968-08-24) (aged 74) Bexar County, Texas, U.S.
Service/branch	U.S. Army
Rank	Colonel
Unit	26th Infantry Regiment, 5th Machine-Gun Battalion, 2nd Division, 9th Infantry Regiment, 17th Infantry Replacement Depot, 16th Infantry Replacement Depot, U.S. Army Caribbean
Battles/wars	Philippine Insurrection, Mexican Expedition, World War I, World War II Awards and Decorations Distinguished Service Cross (3) Silver Star Medal (4) Legion of Merit (United States) Bronze Star Medal (with 3 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters) Purple Heart (United States)(with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster) World War I Victory Medal (United States)(Five battle clasps) Army of Occupation Medal (United States)(Germany)]] American Defense Service Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster) American Campaign Medal European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal (with Silver Star and Arrowhead Device) World War II Victory Medal Croix de Guerre (France) Presidential Unit Citation (with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters)

Chester John Hirschfelder (January 10, 1894 – August 24, 1968) was a distinguished U.S. Army officer who served from 1909 to 1949. Born in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Hirschfelder began his military career as an enlisted infantryman and rose through the ranks, earning a commission as a second lieutenant in 1917. Chester Hirschfelder was born on January 10, 1894, in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He joined the U.S. Army on November 29, 1909, initially serving as an infantryman, platoon sergeant, and quartermaster sergeant with the 26th Infantry Regiment. His service included postings in the Philippines and participation in the Mexican Expedition. Hirschfelder was commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant of infantry on July 11, 1917. During World War I, he served as a captain with the 5th Machine-Gun Battalion of the 2nd Division in France and later participated in the occupation of Germany before returning to the U.S.

In the 1920s, Hirschfelder was the post commander at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, and he led various infantry units between the World Wars. At the onset of World War II, he was the commanding officer of the 9th Infantry Regiment and subsequently attended advanced training at the Infantry School, Fort Benning, Georgia, from January to February 1942. Hirschfelder served as the executive officer of the 352nd Infantry Regiment at Camp Claiborne, Louisiana, from February to May 1942, and then as the acting assistant division commander of the 2nd Infantry Division at Fort Sam Houston from May to July 1942.

From July 1942 to December 1943, he commanded the 9th Infantry Regiment at Fort Sam Houston. His unit was deployed to England from January to June 1944 and participated in the D-Day Invasion at Normandy, continuing through the Battle of the Bulge until January 1945. Hirschfelder returned to the U.S. from January to March 1945 and then served as the executive officer of the 17th Infantry Replacement Depot in France from March to April 1945. He commanded the 16th Infantry Replacement Depot in France from April to June 1945 before returning to the U.S. in August 1945.

After being a patient at Brooke General Hospital in Fort Sam Houston from August 1945 to January 1946, Hirschfelder stayed at Fort Sam Houston pending reassignment until June 1946. He then served on the War Department Manpower Board in Dallas and San Antonio from June to August 1946, followed by a role as assistant executive officer at Fort Sam Houston from August 1946 to December 1947. Hirschfelder was the post executive officer at Fort Sam Houston from December 1947 to July 1948 and then with U.S. Army Caribbean at Fort Amador, Panama, from August 1948 to April 1949. He returned to the U.S. in May 1949 and served as Acting Inspector General at Fort Sam Houston until his retirement on August 1, 1949.

Chester Hirschfelder was married to Ethel Leona Thomas Hirschfelder (1895–1987) until his death on August 24, 1968. He was interred at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas, where his wife was also laid to rest in 1987.

During World War I, Hirschfelder served with the 5th Machine-Gun Battalion of the 2nd Division in France, where he demonstrated extraordinary heroism on October 4, 1918, earning the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions near St. Etienne.

In World War II, Hirschfelder commanded the 9th Infantry Regiment of the 2nd Infantry Division, participating in significant battles including D-Day and the Battle of the Bulge. His outstanding leadership during these engagements earned him multiple awards, including two Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters for the Distinguished Service Cross.

Hirschfelder's military career included various posts, such as Post Commander at Fort Sam Houston and roles in the U.S. Army Caribbean. He retired from active duty in 1949 and spent his final years in Texas, where he passed away in 1968. He was buried with his wife, Ethel Leona Thomas Hirschfelder, at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.

Hirschfelder's numerous awards reflect his exceptional service and dedication, including three Distinguished Service Crosses, four Silver Star Medals, and a host of other decorations from both World Wars. His legacy is marked by a distinguished career of valor and leadership.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Captain (Infantry) Chester J. Hirschfelder, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 5th Machine-Gun Battalion, 2d Division, A.E.F., near St. Etienne, France, 4 October 1918. When an enemy machine gun was inflicting heavy casualties upon his company, Captain Hirschfelder crawled forward alone across a field exposed to heavy machine-gun fire and threw hand grenades into the enemy position. His action silenced the machine gun and prevented further casualties to his company.

Colonel (Infantry) Chester J. Hirschfelder, United States Army, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with the 9th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 28 July 1944. Colonel Hirschfelder's outstanding leadership, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 2d Infantry Division, and the United States Army.

Colonel (Infantry) Chester J. Hirschfelder, United States Army, was awarded a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with the 9th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 2 August 1944. Colonel Hirschfelder's outstanding leadership, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 2d Infantry Division, and the United States Army.