Medal of Honor: Frank J. Petrarca – World War II – July 27–31, 1943

Name: Frank J. Petrarca
Rank: Private First Class
Branch: U.S. Army
War: World War II
Unit: Medical Detachment, 145th Infantry Regiment, 37th Infantry Division
Date of Action: July 27–31, 1943
Location: Horseshoe Hill, New Georgia, Solomon Islands

Summary of Action

During the bitter fighting on New Georgia in the Solomon Islands campaign, Private First Class Frank J. Petrarca served as a combat medic with the 145th Infantry Regiment.

On 27 July 1943, he advanced with the leading elements of his unit to within one hundred yards of heavily defended Japanese positions on Horseshoe Hill. Enemy mortar and small-arms fire inflicted numerous casualties among the advancing soldiers.

Ignoring the danger, Petrarca moved forward to aid the most seriously wounded men.

One of these soldiers, Private Scott, lay approximately seventy-five yards from the enemy and had suffered wounds so severe that he could not be moved from the direct line of fire. Petrarca reached him and administered first aid while also treating two additional wounded soldiers.

He remained beside the wounded man, shielding him from enemy fire and refusing to leave his side.

Two days later, during an intense enemy mortar barrage, Petrarca rushed to the aid of his platoon sergeant, who had been buried beneath debris after a shell exploded in his foxhole.

He dug the sergeant free, restored him to consciousness, and ensured his evacuation.

On 31 July, despite warnings from fellow soldiers, Petrarca again volunteered to aid a wounded comrade lying in an exposed area.

To reach the casualty, he had to cross the crest of a hill where Japanese troops only twenty yards away had clear observation of his movement.

Enemy knee mortars and automatic weapons immediately opened fire upon him.

Undeterred, he continued forward, moving to within only a few feet of the wounded soldier.

At that moment, enemy mortar fire struck and mortally wounded him.

Even after receiving his fatal wounds, Petrarca attempted to rise and continue toward his fallen comrade.

Raising himself to his knees, he shouted defiance toward the enemy and made one final effort to reach the wounded soldier before collapsing.

Private First Class Frank J. Petrarca's extraordinary courage, devotion to the wounded, and complete disregard for his own safety reflected the highest traditions of the United States Army.

Medal of Honor Citation

PETRARCA, FRANK J.

Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, Medical Detachment, 145th Infantry Regiment, 37th Infantry Division.

Place and date: Horseshoe Hill, New Georgia, Solomon Islands, 27–31 July 1943.

Entered service at: Cleveland, Ohio.

Birth: Cleveland, Ohio.

G.O. No.: 86, 23 December 1943.

Citation:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action above and beyond the call of duty. Private First Class 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 Private 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. Private First Class Petrarca fearlessly administered first aid to Private Scott and two other soldiers and shielded the former until his death.

On 29 July 1943, Private First Class 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, 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 2 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.