Pellettiere, John M.
- Date of birth:
- July 28th, 1918 (Chicago/Illinois, United States)
- Date of death:
- August 6th, 1980
- Service number:
- 36 005 464
- Nationality:
- American
Biography
John M. Pellettiere entered service in February 1941. First serving with 11th Cavalry, which was transformed to an Armored unit, he later was transferred to the 712th Tank Battalion. With his unit he landed at Utah Beach, shortly after the initial D-Day landings.
John Pellettiere at first served as Gunner and later as Tank Commander and took part in the fightings in France, the Battle of the Bulge, Germany and ended the war in Czechoslovakia. His unit received the Presidential Unit Citation.
John Pellettiere was honorably discharged on June 23rd, 1945 with the rank of Staff Sergeant.
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Purple Heart
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Sergeant
- Awarded on:
- September 2nd, 1944
General Orders No.12, Headquarters 54 General Hospital (2 September 1944).
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Sergeant
- Unit:
- 712th Tank Battalion, 90th Infantry Division (712th Tank Battalion, 90th Infantry Division)
- Awarded on:
- January 6th, 1945
"For heroic achievement on 9 and 10 December 1944 in the vicinity of * * *, * **. During the Moselle River operations, four tanks became embedded in the marshy, soft soil near the shore. Sergeant PELLETTIERE, Tank Commander, with aid of companions, worked through 7,5 hours of darkness under intense enemy artillery and mortar fire, to finally free the tanks and enable the platoon to reach its destination without loss of a vehicle. His heroic achievement was
in accordance with military traditions."
General Orders No.5, Headquarters 90th Infantry Division (6th January 1945).
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Sergeant
- Unit:
- 712th Tank Battalion, 90th Infantry Division (712th Tank Battalion, 90th Infantry Division)
- Awarded on:
- April 15th, 1945
"For gallantry in action on 22nd February 1945 in the vicinity of Krautscheid, Germany. A tank platoon supporting an infantry unit's advance on the town, was subjected to a severe counterattack. Sergeant Pellettiere, at risk of his life, reconnoitered fire swept areas on foot to determine the best route of approach on the attacking force. He continually exposed himself as he directed his tank platoon in a surprise attack on the hostile force in which two tanks were destroyed, 15-20 enemy were killed, approximately 100 taken prisoner and the objective captured. His gallant act materially aided the success of the mission and was in accordance with high military tradition."
General Orders No. 351, 15 april 1945.
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Staff Sergeant
- Unit:
- 712th Tank Battalion, 90th Infantry Division (712th Tank Battalion, 90th Infantry Division)
- Awarded on:
- May 14th, 1945
"For heroic achievement on 21 March 1945 in the vicinity of Bretzenheim, Germany. When an enemy soldier thrust a hand grenade down the tube of a 75mm tank gun, the resultant explosion severely wounded a member of the gun crew.
Despite devastating mortar and small arms fire, Staff Sergeant Pellettiere sorked indefatigably removing the wounded man from the tank. Though dazed and knocked to the ground by a nearby shellburst, Staff Sergeant Pellettiero then, with two companions, evacuated the casualty to a place of safety and advanced through the unrelenting fire to summon medical men. His heroic achievement aided materially in saving the wounded man's life and was in accordance with military tradition."
Second Bronze Star Medal received in the form of a bronze oak leaf cluster to be worn on the ribbon of the first Bronze Star Medal.
General Orders No.440, Headquarters 90th Infantry Division (14 May 1945).
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Staff Sergeant
- Unit:
- 712th Tank Battalion, 90th Infantry Division
- Awarded on:
- May 26th, 1945
Second Purple Heart received in the form of a bronze oak leaf cluster to be wonr on the ribbon of the first Purple Heart.
General Orders No.34, 712 Tank Battalion (26 May 1945).
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
Received with a silver star for the five battle campaigns "NORMANDY", "NORTHERN FRANCE", "ARDENNES", "RHINELAND" and "CENTRAL EUROPE".
Sources
- Photo 1: John Pellettiere
- - General Orders No.351, Headquarters 90th Infantry Division, 15 April 1945
- The 90th Division Association
Photo
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