Debra Morrison and David Shortt, an Army/Army Reserve and Middletown police retiree, have been leading the effort to get Army Pfc. Patrick L. Kessler honored by the community.
Kessler was a member of Company K, 30th Infantry, 3rd Infantry Division when he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor on Jan. 4, 1945 for “action involving actual conflict with the enemy” and distinguishing himself “by gallantly and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty” during the Battle of Anzio in Italy on May 23, 1944 during World War II.
The 22-year-old was killed in action two days later on May 25, 1944 near Ponte Rotto, Italy. He is buried among the 167 white crosses in the World War II section at Woodside Cemetery and Arboretum.
“I’m happy,” Morrison said. “I had hoped to have seen this done before his (Kessler’s) sister died a few weeks ago.”
Shortt began his efforts in 2015 with a letter to Mayor Larry Mulligan Jr. but said he never received a response. Efforts began again in 2018 with Morrison getting the backing from the Middletown Historical Society and other organizations along with getting emails and petitions in support. They went to City Council in late 2018 with a request to rename Flemming Park after Kessler as he was raised on Flemming Road.
“It took three or four years but it looks like it’s going forward,” Shortt said. “He should be an inspiration for all Americans. It will help provide a role model and inspiration to local youths.
However, since the future of Flemming Park was uncertain in October 2018, the city Park Board recommended to council that a portion of Reinartz Boulevard between Clark and Charles streets be renamed after Kessler. In November 2018, City Manager Doug Adkins recommended establishing a policy and criteria to rename city streets, parks and buildings.
Middletown council last renamed a street in 2007 when it designated a portion of South Verity Parkway the “Todd Bell Memorial Way.” The Ohio Army National Guard Armory in Middletown is named after Kessler as the auditorium at the Middletown American Legion post and a school at the Army base at Fort Stewart, Ga.
An all-state and all-American athlete at Middletown High School in football and track, Bell also broke the state long jump record that had been held by the legendary Jesse Owens. Bell was an All-American football player for The Ohio State University and also played for the NFL’s Chicago Bears and Philadelphia Eagles and was named an All-Pro. Bell later became a prominent community activist and an advocate for youth activities and education. He died in 2005.
Pfc. Patrick Kessler’s Medal of Honor citation
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life above and beyond the call of duty. Pfc. Kessler, acting without orders, raced 50 yards through a hail of machinegun fire, which had killed 5 of his comrades and halted the advance of his company, in order to form an assault group to destroy the machinegun. Ordering 3 men to act as a base of fire, he left the cover of a ditch and snaked his way to a point within 50 yards of the enemy machinegun before he was discovered, whereupon he plunged headlong into the furious chain of automatic fire. Reaching a spot within 6 feet of the emplacement he stood over it and killed both the gunner and his assistant, jumped into the gun position, overpowered and captured a third German after a short struggle. The remaining member of the crew escaped, but Pfc. Kessler wounded him as he ran. While taking his prisoner to the rear, this soldier saw 2 of his comrades killed as they assaulted an enemy strongpoint, fire from which had already killed 10 men in the company. Turning his prisoner over to another man, Pfc. Kessler crawled 35 yards to the side of 1 of the casualties, relieved him of his BAR and ammunition and continued on toward the strongpoint, 125 yards distant. Although 2 machineguns concentrated their fire directly on him and shells exploded within 10 yards, bowling him over, Pfc. Kessler crawled 75 yards, passing through an antipersonnel minefield to a point within 50 yards of the enemy and engaged the machineguns in a duel. When an artillery shell burst within a few feet of him, he left the cover of a ditch and advanced upon the position in a slow walk, firing his BAR from the hip. Although the enemy poured heavy machinegun and small arms fire at him, Pfc. Kessler succeeded in reaching the edge of their position, killed the gunners, and captured 13 Germans. Then, despite continuous shelling, he started to the rear. After going 25 yards, Pfc. Kessler was fired upon by 2 snipers only 100 yards away. Several of his prisoners took advantage of this opportunity and attempted to escape; however, Pfc. Kessler hit the ground, fired on either flank of his prisoners, forcing them to cover, and then engaged the 2 snipers in a fire fight, and captured them. With this last threat removed, Company K continued its advance, capturing its objective without further opposition. Pfc. Kessler was killed in a subsequent action.
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