Harry W. Caminiti
Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army

On 18 March 1945, Staff Sergeant Harry W. Caminiti was serving with Company F, 259th Infantry Regiment, 65th Infantry Division, Third U.S. Army.

On that day, SSG Caminiti's unit was in action against enemy forces in Germany. During an attack on heavily defended Siegfried Line positions near Fraulautern, Germany, SSG Caminiti's Squad was hit with extremely heavy machine gun fire from an enemy pill box. He urged his squad forward, silenced the position with demolition charges and grenades, and continued advancing until he was seriously wounded and the squad was forced to take cover. When he saw a comrade hit by enemy rocket-fire, he went to his aid. Although he was hit again and mortally wounded, he dragged him to safety. SSG Caminiti's leadership, courageous actions, and heroism, at the cost of his life, earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Purple Heart
Army Good Conduct Medal
American Campaign Medal
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
World War II Victory Medal
Combat Infantryman Badge

Distinguished Service Cross Citation

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Staff Sergeant Harry W. Caminiti (ASN: 33680078), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company F, 259th Infantry Regiment, 65th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 18 March 1945, in Germany. During an attack on heavily defended Siegfried Line positions near Fraulautern, Germany, Sergeant Caminiti's Squad was subjected to extremely heavy machine gun fire emanating from an enemy pill box. Exhibiting cool, heroic leadership he urged his squad forward, courageously silenced the hostile position with demolition charges and grenades and continued the advance forward until he was seriously wounded and the squad forced to take cover. When he saw a comrade hit by enemy rocket-fire he fearlessly went to his aid and although hit again, and mortally wounded, dragged him to safety. Staff Sergeant Caminiti's intrepid leadership, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty at the cost of his life, exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 65th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.

General Orders: Headquarters, Third U.S. Army, General Orders No. 171 (July 13, 1945)

Burial

Staff Sergeant Harry W. Caminiti is buried at the Lorraine American Cemetery and Memorial in Saint-Avold, Departement de la Moselle, Lorraine, France, in Plot E, Row 9, Grave 22.

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