Private First Class Frank Joseph Petrarca, a soldier in the U.S. Army, was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for gallantry on July 27, 1943 at Horseshoe Hill, New Georgia, Solomon Islands during World War II. At the time he was serving with Medical Detachment, 145th Infantry, 37th Infantry Division. Petrarca was 24 years old.
The medal was presented on December 23, 1943 — to his parents at their home in Cleveland, Ohio, by Major General Charles L. Scott.
Petrarca was born on July 31, 1918 in Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio. Petrarca died on July 31, 1943 in New Georgia, Solomon Islands, at the age of 25. He is buried at Calvary Cemetery in Cleveland, Ohio.
Petrarca is one of 474 Medal of Honor recipients from World War II and one of 256 credited to Ohio.
Official Medal of Honor citation
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action above and beyond the call of duty. Pfc. Petrarca advanced with the leading troop element to within 100 yards of the enemy fortifications where mortar and small-arms fire caused a number of casualties. Singling out the most seriously wounded, he worked his way to the aid of Pfc. Scott, lying within 75 yards of the enemy, whose wounds were so serious that he could not even be moved out of the direct line of fire. Pfc. Petrarca fearlessly administered first aid to Pfc. Scott and two other soldiers and shielded the former until his death. On 29 July 1943, Pfc. Petrarca, during an intense mortar barrage, went to the aid of his sergeant who had been partly buried in a foxhole under the debris of a shell explosion, dug him out, restored him to consciousness, and caused his evacuation. On 31 July 1943 and against the warning of a fellow soldier, he went to the aid of a mortar fragment casualty where his path over the crest of a hill exposed him to enemy observation from only 20 yards distance. A target for intense knee mortar and automatic fire, he resolutely worked his way to within two yards of his objective where he was mortally wounded by hostile mortar fire. Even on the threshold of death he continued to display valor and contempt for the foe; raising himself to his knees, this intrepid soldier shouted defiance at the enemy, made a last attempt to reach his wounded comrade and fell in glorious death.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Wounds and injuries
What the citation records about his wounds:
A target for intense knee mortar and automatic fire, he resolutely worked his way to within two yards of his objective where he was mortally wounded by hostile mortar fire.
- Awarded posthumously — died July 31, 1943.
- Age at death: 25
- Resting place: Calvary Cemetery
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: World War II.
Life beyond the battlefield
- Occupations: combat medic
Source: Wikidata.
Places
Timeline
- July 31, 1918Born in Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio
- July 27, 1943Act of valor — Horseshoe Hill, New Georgia, Solomon IslandsAge 24. Medical Detachment, 145th Infantry, 37th Infantry Division
- July 31, 1943Died in New Georgia, Solomon IslandsAge 25.
- December 23, 1943Medal of Honor presented posthumouslyTo his parents at their home in Cleveland, Ohio, by Major General Charles L. Scott.
- Resting placeCalvary CemeteryCleveland, Ohio
Biography
Frank Joseph Petrarca (July 31, 1918 – July 31, 1943) was a United States Army soldier and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in World War II.
From the Wikipedia article “Frank J. Petrarca”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
