Serving as a soldier in the U.S. Army, Corporal Frank Rocco Fratellenico was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for his actions on August 19, 1970 near Fire Base Barnett, Quang Tri Province, Republic of Vietnam during the Vietnam War. At the time he was serving with Company B, 2d Battalion, 502d Infantry, 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division. Fratellenico was 19 years old.
Fratellenico was killed in the action for which his medal was awarded. The medal was presented on August 8, 1974, 3 years after the action.
Fratellenico was born on July 14, 1951 in Sharon, Litchfield County, Connecticut. His Medal of Honor is credited to Albany, Albany County, New York. He is buried at Private Cemetery in Chatham, New York.
Fratellenico is one of 274 Medal of Honor recipients from the Vietnam War and one of 678 credited to New York.
Official Medal of Honor citation
Cpl. Fratellenico distinguished himself while serving as a rifleman with Company B. Cpl. Fratellenico's squad was pinned down by intensive fire from two well-fortified enemy bunkers. At great personal risk Cpl. Fratellenico maneuvered forward and, using hand grenades, neutralized the first bunker which was occupied by a number of enemy soldiers. While attacking the second bunker, enemy fire struck Cpl. Fratellenico, causing him to fall to the ground and drop a grenade which he was preparing to throw. Alert to the imminent danger to his comrades, Cpl. Fratellenico retrieved the grenade and fell upon it an instant before it exploded. His heroic actions prevented death or serious injury to four of his comrades nearby and inspired his unit, which subsequently overran the enemy position. Cpl. Fratellenico's conspicuous gallantry, extraordinary heroism, and intrepidity at the cost of his life, above and beyond the call of duty, are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon him, his unit, and the U.S. Army.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Wounds and death in action
- Killed in action during the act for which the medal was awarded (August 19, 1970).
- Age at death: 19
- Resting place: Private Cemetery
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: Vietnam War.
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in New York →
Timeline
- July 14, 1951Born in Sharon, Litchfield County, Connecticut
- August 19, 1970Act of valor — near Fire Base Barnett, Quang Tri Province, Republic of VietnamAge 19. Company B, 2d Battalion, 502d Infantry, 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division Killed in action.
- August 8, 1974Medal of Honor presented posthumously
- Resting placePrivate CemeteryChatham, New York
Biography
Frank Rocco Fratellenico (July 14, 1951 – August 19, 1970) 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 the Vietnam War.
From the Wikipedia article “Frank R. Fratellenico”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
