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Contact Info
Home Town Akron, OH
Last Address Stroud Township, PA
Date of Passing May 25, 2006
Location of Interment Holy Rosary Cemetery - Duryea, Pennsylvania
For extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with the 25th Infanty Division on 8 March 1945, in the Philippine Islands. Serving as a litter bearer section leader, Technician Fifth Grade Possinger led an eight man squad to rescue six infantrymen who had been ambushed and wounded along a trail on a high ridge. After reaching the men, he was seriously wounded with a bullet in the chest. He immediately dressed his injury and then administered first aid to the other soldiers for 30 minutes while under heavy machine gun fire. He then led his men and the wounded soldiers down a steep ridge to safety. Technician Fifth Grade Possinger's intrepid actions, 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 25th Infantry Division, and the United States Army. HQ, U.S. Forces-Pacific, GO 54 (1945)
Harvey Possinger was one of the most highly decorated veterans of World War II. He received every medal for valor in combat except for the Medal of Honor. He received 26 medals throughout his distinguished career. The only man to receive more (27) was Audie Murphy.
Drafted in April 1942, he left the Continental United States in May. Possinger was assigned to B Company, 35th Infantry Regiment, of the 25th Infantry Division.
The 25th Infantry was called into Guadalcanal to relieve the 1st Marine Division in November. Possinger, along with the rest of his unit, arrived at Guadalcanal on 17 December1942. After weeks of heavy fighting, the island was secure.
Possinger also participated in the Vella Lavella and Northern Solomons campaigns. Possinger was wounded three times on Vella Lavalla and was awarded the Bronze Star for his heroic actions throughout the campaign in the Northern Solomons.
During the battle for Luzon in the Philippines, Possinger was hit in the left arm and on March 8, 1945 he was wounded for the fifth and final time; as he took a bullet to the chest at Belete Pass.
In civilian life, he worked for Pocono Textile Co., later the Oxford Textile Co. in Oxford, N.J. He later worked as a night ranger for Outdoor World in Scotrun. He helped organize Little League baseball in Monroe County and belonged to the VFW and the American Legion.
Possinger's wife, Marie Hokien Possinger, died in 1991.
Harvey died at Beverly Health Care Center in Scranton following a long period of frail health.
Description (Guadalcanal Campaign 7 August 1942 to 21 February 1943) On 7 August 1942 the first stage of the offensive began with landings by a Marine division on Guadalcanal and nearby islands. The Japanese reacted vigorously. They inflicted a serious defeat on Ghormley's naval forces in the Battle of Savo Island (8 August 1942), landed large numbers of reinforcements on Guadalcanal, and ultimately lost strong ground, air and naval forces in a desperate effort to hold Guadalcanal. Six major naval engagements were fought off the island. Air battles raged almost daily until the end of October 1942. On shore the issue was in doubt for almost three months. Before the island was finally secured in February 1943, the United States had committed two Marine divisions, two Army divisions, and an additional Army regiment to the fight. Late in February 1943 an Army division was unopposed in taking the Russell Islands, 35 miles northwest of Guadalcanal. The Allies thus firmly established themselves in the Solomons.
