WW2 Fallen - Medal of Honor hero and medic Frank Petrarca, 37th Infantry Division

Medic Pfc. Frank Petrarca served with the 37th Infantry Division in New Georgia.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/5747282/frank-joseph-petrarca
https://d.facebook.com/37thidwwii/photos/a.999112060113349.1073741828.998214823536406/1547332511957965/?type=3&__tn__=EH-R 

Frank Joseph Petrarca never had a chance to reach 100 years old today. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom. He died on his 25th birthday.

He was born on July 31, 1918 in Ohio. His parents Domnick and Bettina were both born in Italy and came to America in 1907. His father worked as a carpenter. Frank had three older brothers, two older sisters, and one younger brother. By 1940 Frank had completed four years of high school and lived with his parents while working as a laborer.

He enlisted in the army on October 20, 1940 through the Ohio National Guard. He became a private first class and was trained as a medic assigned to the 145th Infantry Regiment, 37th Infantry Division. The 37th ID first fought the enemy in New Georgia in July 1943. His unit became heavily involved in the capture of the Munda Airfield and was taking many casualties. 

Pfc. actions over the next four day would posthumously earn him the Medal of Honor.

His Medal of Honor citation reads:

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 2 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 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.

His grave is at Calvary Cemetery in Cleveland, Ohio.

Thank you Pfc. Petrarca for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Frank.

Last year on this date I profiled Coxswain Howard Carter, USS Dobbin, who was killed during the Pearl Harbor attack. You can read about Howard here.

On behalf of the fallen, if you would like to see more people become aware of this project to honor the WW2 fallen, be sure to share with others on Twitter, Facebook, etc. Thanks for your interest!

I created this video to explain why I started this project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXt8QA481lY.

Follow on Twitter @ww2fallen100
Please consider joining the public Facebook group to increase the exposure of this project. Go to: WW2 Fallen 100

WW2 Fallen 100 is supported by

The Greatest GENERATIONS Foundation

“Where Every Day is Memorial Day”

http://www.tggf.org