Krotiak, Anthony L.

Date of birth:: August 15th, 1915 (Chicago, United States)
Date of death:: May 8th, 1945 (Balete Pass, Luzon, Phlippine Islands)
Buried on:: American War Graves Holy Sepulchre Cemetery
Plot: 23. Row: 14. Grave: 8.
Nationality:: American

Biography

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Medal of Honor - Army (MoH)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Private 1st Class
Unit:: Company I, 148th Infantry Regiment, 37th Infantry Division, U.S. Army
Awarded on:: February 13th, 1946

"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."

Awarded posthumously