Medal of Honor: Frank J. Petrarca– World War II, July 27–31, 1944
Even as he lay mortally wounded, Petrarca rose to his knees, shouted defiance at the Japanese, and made a final attempt to crawl toward the injured soldier. He died moments later.
July 28, 2025
Frank J. Petrarca
Rank: Private First Class
Conflict: 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:
In the steamy, shell-torn jungles of New Georgia, Solomon Islands, Private First Class Frank J. Petrarca served not with a rifle, but with courage, compassion, and an unwavering devotion to the wounded. As a combat medic with the 145th Infantry, Petrarca's battlefield was often the space between life and death—under fire, in open terrain, where others dared not tread.
On July 27, 1943, as American forces advanced to within 100 yards of heavily fortified Japanese positions on Horseshoe Hill, a barrage of mortar and machine gun fire tore through the front lines. Without hesitation, Pfc. Petrarca crawled through the killing zone to reach the most critically wounded—administering aid to a dying Private Scott while shielding his body from incoming fire. Though unable to save him, he remained by the soldier's side until death claimed him.
His heroism did not stop there. On July 29, amid another ferocious bombardment, Petrarca risked his life again—digging his partially buried sergeant from the rubble of a shell-blasted foxhole, reviving him, and ensuring his evacuation. Then, on July 31, warned of the danger, Petrarca nonetheless ventured over the crest of a hill, fully exposed to the enemy just 20 yards away, to reach another wounded man. He was struck down by a mortar round only two yards from his comrade.
Even as he lay mortally wounded, Petrarca rose to his knees, shouted defiance at the Japanese, and made a final attempt to crawl toward the injured soldier. He died moments later—his last breath spent in the act of service to others.
For valor beyond measure, and self-sacrifice in the face of certain death, Frank J. Petrarca earned his place among the immortal heroes of the United States Army.
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.
Rank: Private First Class
Conflict: 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:
In the steamy, shell-torn jungles of New Georgia, Solomon Islands, Private First Class Frank J. Petrarca served not with a rifle, but with courage, compassion, and an unwavering devotion to the wounded. As a combat medic with the 145th Infantry, Petrarca's battlefield was often the space between life and death—under fire, in open terrain, where others dared not tread.
On July 27, 1943, as American forces advanced to within 100 yards of heavily fortified Japanese positions on Horseshoe Hill, a barrage of mortar and machine gun fire tore through the front lines. Without hesitation, Pfc. Petrarca crawled through the killing zone to reach the most critically wounded—administering aid to a dying Private Scott while shielding his body from incoming fire. Though unable to save him, he remained by the soldier's side until death claimed him.
His heroism did not stop there. On July 29, amid another ferocious bombardment, Petrarca risked his life again—digging his partially buried sergeant from the rubble of a shell-blasted foxhole, reviving him, and ensuring his evacuation. Then, on July 31, warned of the danger, Petrarca nonetheless ventured over the crest of a hill, fully exposed to the enemy just 20 yards away, to reach another wounded man. He was struck down by a mortar round only two yards from his comrade.
Even as he lay mortally wounded, Petrarca rose to his knees, shouted defiance at the Japanese, and made a final attempt to crawl toward the injured soldier. He died moments later—his last breath spent in the act of service to others.
For valor beyond measure, and self-sacrifice in the face of certain death, Frank J. Petrarca earned his place among the immortal heroes of the United States Army.
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.
