Kellner, Karl, born on 29-11-1918 in Sheboygan, 
Wisconsin, United States to Edmund John Kellner (1892–1969) and his wife Celia A, born Manthey, Kellner (1893–1990), who were also both born in Wisconsin. Three of his grandparents were born in southern Germany. His father worked as a wood shop pattern maker. Karl had one older sister, Quirine Kellner Morton 
01-08-1915-18-05- 2008 (age 92) one younger sister Judith M. Kellner who died 03-02-2010 (age 82) in Meeme, Manitowoc County, Wisconsin, and one younger brother James J Kellner, he died 29–06-2006 (lage 82) in Sheboygan County,. By 1940 Karl had completed four years of high school. He was living with his parents and worked as a deliveryman.
Karl was drafted into the army on 13-06-1941. He was recognized as officer material and became a second lieutenant in Company F, 2nd Battalion, 32nd Armored Infantry Regiment, 
3rd Armored Division. 
under commad of Major General Leroy Hugh Watson 
In late February 1945 Karl Kellner was given command of a Sherman tank.
Death and burial ground of Kellner, Karl.
Eight days later on 06-03-1945, Lieutenant Kellner was directing the lead tank accompanied by a second Sherman and one of the few technologically superior Pershing tanks that arrived in Europe before the war ended. Because the tanks were moving in on the historic cathedral in Cologne
Cologne Cathedral was badly damaged by Allied air raids in 1944, but the medieval windows had been removed beforehand. By 1948 the choir had been restored and was again in regular use, as was the rest of the interior by 1956. In the late 20th century work began to repair the effects of acid rain on the stonework.
The cathedral attracted a convoy of journalists who wanted to be the first to the cathedral. One of the journalists was Andy Rooney, 
later famous for his 60 Minutes commentaries. 
He was a witness to Lieutenant. Kellner’s death. The tanks did not bring infantry as was normally the practice. The bridges had been blown and perhaps they thought the Germans were gone.What everyone assumed to be a knocked out Panther tank on the other side of destroyed buildings fired through the ruble and managed to knock out both Lieutenant Kellner’s tank and the second Sherman as well. The Pershing came up a different street and managed to destroy the Panther. We live in a day when we expect everything to be caught on camera. With everyone carrying cameras on their smart phones, nearly any event of note is captured. This was rarely the case in World War 2. However, Lieutenant. Kellner’s advance was captured on film by the trailing journalists. You can see him climbing out of his tank after it was hit. 
One of the photos of this attack became quite well known (see above). There is even a multipart documentary about the engagement by the name of Duel at the Cathedral. You can watch it on Amazon here. Unfortunately, Lieutenant Kellner did not survive his wound and died before medics could provide aid. He was awarded the Silver Star 
but I was not able to find the citation. His grave is at Calvary Cemetery in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Thank you Lieutenant. Kellner for your sacrifice.
World War II veteran Clarence Smoyer, 96, poses for a picture in front of a Sherman tank after receiving the Bronze Star.
Smoyer fought with the U.S. Army’s 3rd Armored Division, nicknamed the Spearhead Division. In 1945, he defeated a German Panther tank near the cathedral in Cologne, Germany — a dramatic duel filmed by an Army cameraman that was seen all over the world. World War II veteran Clarence Smoyer, 
96, poses for a picture in front of a Sherman tank after receiving the Bronze Star. Smoyer fought with the U.S. Army’s 3rd Armored Division, nicknamed the Spearhead Division. In 1945, he defeated a German Panther tank near the cathedral in Cologne, Germany — a dramatic duel filmed by an Army cameraman that was seen all over the world.
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