Sheffield in Warren County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

S/Sgt. John G. Gertsch

Above the Rest

— Sept. 29, 1944 - July 19, 1969 —

S/Sgt. John G. Gertsch Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, July 16, 2026

1. S/Sgt. John G. Gertsch Marker

Inscription.
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty.

Posthumously awarded the
Congressional Medal of Honor
A Shau Valley Republic of Vietnam
July 15-19 1969

U.S. Army Co.E 1st Batt.
327th Inf. 101st Airborne

Topics and series. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Military • War, Vietnam. In addition, it is included in the Medal of Honor Recipients series list.

Location. 41° 41.997′ N, 79° 1.885′ W. Memorial is in Sheffield, Pennsylvania, in Warren County. It is at the intersection of South Main Street (Pennsylvania Route 666) and Horton Avenue, on the right when traveling north on South Main Street. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: 322 S Main Street, Sheffield PA 16347, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this memorial is in Northwestern Pennsylvania

and specifically in the Pennsylvania Wilds.

It is also in the American Northeast,

in the Mid-Atlantic,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

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the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 12 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Camp ANF-3 (approx. 9.2 miles away); Kinzua Dam (approx. 9.6 miles away); The Allegheny River Watershed (approx. 9.9 miles away); Conewango (approx. 11.4 miles away); The Island...a rich history, now a scenic beauty (approx. 11½ miles away); Lumber Rafting (approx. 11.6 miles away); In Honor (approx. 11.6 miles away); Heritage Point (approx. 11.7 miles away).

Also see . . . John Gary Gertsch. Medal of Honor Citation

S/Sgt. Gertsch distinguished himself while serving as a platoon sergeant and platoon leader during combat operations in the A Shau Valley. During the initial phase of an operation to seize a strongly defended enemy position, S/Sgt. Gertsch's platoon leader was seriously wounded and lay exposed to intense enemy fire. Forsaking his own safety, without hesitation S/Sgt. Gertsch rushed to aid his fallen
Photographed by Mark Parker, July 16, 2026

2. S/Sgt. John G. Gertsch Marker at Sheffield Memorial Park
leader and dragged him to a sheltered position. He then assumed command of the heavily engaged platoon and led his men in a fierce counterattack that forced the enemy to withdraw. Later, a small element of S/Sgt. Gertsch's unit was reconnoitering when attacked again by the enemy. S/Sgt. Gertsch moved forward to his besieged element and immediately charged, firing as he advanced. His determined assault forced the enemy troops to withdraw in confusion and made possible the recovery of two wounded men who had been exposed to heavy enemy fire. Sometime later his platoon came under attack by an enemy force employing automatic-weapons, grenade, and rocket fire. S/Sgt. Gertsch was severely wounded during the onslaught but continued to command his platoon despite his painful wound. While moving under fire and encouraging his men he sighted an aidman treating a wounded officer from an adjacent unit. Realizing that both men were in imminent danger of being killed, he rushed forward and positioned himself between them and the enemy nearby. While the wounded officer was being moved to safety SSgt. Gertsch was mortally wounded by enemy fire. Without
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S/Sgt. Gertsch's courage, ability to inspire others, and profound concern for the welfare of his men, the loss of life among his fellow soldiers would have been significantly greater. His conspicuous gallantry, extraordinary heroism, and intrepidity at the cost of his life, above and beyond the call of duty, are in the highest traditions of the U.S. Army and reflect great credit on him and the Armed Forces of his country.

(Submitted on July 23, 2026, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina.)

Credits. This page was last revised on July 23, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 23, 2026, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 5 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 23, 2026, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.