KROTIAK, ANTHONY L. - Medal of Honor Recipient
Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, Company I, 148th
Infantry, 37th Infantry Division. Place and date: Balete Pass, Luzon, Philippine
Islands, 8 May 1945. Entered service at: Chicago, Ill. Birth: 15 August
1915, Chicago, Ill. G.O. No.: 18, 13 February 1946. Citation: He was an
acting squad leader, directing his men in consolidating a newly won position
on Hill B when the enemy concentrated small arms fire and grenades upon
him and 4 others, driving them to cover in an abandoned Japanese trench.
A grenade thrown from above landed in the center of the group. Instantly
pushing his comrades aside and jamming the grenade into the earth with
his rifle butt, he threw himself over it, making a shield of his body to
protect the other men. The grenade exploded under him, and he died a few
minutes later. By his extraordinary heroism in deliberately giving his
life to save those of his comrades, Pfc. Krotiak set an inspiring example
of utter devotion and self-sacrifice which reflects the highest traditions
of the military service.
Browse Records by Era / War / Subject |
