Kisters worked for his father and then opened his own fur shop in Vincennes, Indiana, operating it for several years before he was drafted in January 1941.

On May 7, 1943, Kisters, now a staff sergeant, surprised and killed the crew of a German 88 mm artillery gun, earning a Distinguished Service Cross, the citation for which reads: 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 Staff Sergeant Gerry Herman Kisters (ASN: 35150942), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company B, 91st Reconnaissance Squadron, 2d Armored Division.

The extraordinary heroism, initiative, and devotion to duty with complete disregard for his own welfare displayed by Staff Sergeant Kisters reflect great credit upon himself and the military service, and are deserving of the highest praise.

Kisters's official Medal of Honor citation reads: On 31 July 1943, near Gagliano, Sicily, a detachment of 1 officer and 9 enlisted men, including Sgt.

Kisters, advancing ahead of the leading elements of U.S. troops to fill a large crater in the only available vehicle route through Gagliano, was taken under fire by 2 enemy machineguns.

Kisters and the officer, unaided and in the face of intense small arms fire, advanced on the nearest machinegun emplacement and succeeded in capturing the gun and its crew of 4.