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First Name: Anthony

Last Name: Krotiak

Birthplace: Chicago, IL, USA

Gender: Male

Branch: Army (1784 - present)



Home of Record: Chicago, IL
Middle Name: L.



Date of Birth: 15 August 1915

Date of Death: 08 May 1945

Rank: Private First Class

Years Served: 1941 - 1945
Anthony L. Krotiak

   
Engagements:
•  World War II (1941 - 1945)

Biography:

Anthony L. Krotiak
Private First Class, U.S. Army
Medal of Honor Recipient
World War II

Private First Class Anthony L. Krotiak (15 August 1915 - 8 May 1945) was a U.S. Army soldier who was posthumously awarded the U.S. military's highest award for valor, the Medal of Honor, for his actions during World War II.

Anthony L. Krotiak was born on 15 August 1915 in Chicago, IL. He also joined the Army from Chicago. On 8 May 1945, he was serving as a Private First Class in Company I, 148th Infantry Regiment, 37th Infantry Division. In the Balete Pass in Luzon, the Philippines that day, he covered the blast of a Japanese-thrown grenade with his body, sacrificing himself to protect those around him. For these actions, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.

Medal of Honor

Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, Company I, 148th Infantry, 37th Infantry Division.

Place and date: Balete Pass, Luzon, Philippine Islands, 8 May 1945.

Citation: 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.

Death and Burial

Private First Class Anthony L. Krotiak was killed in action on 8 May 1945. He is buried at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Alsip, IL, in Section 23, Block 14, Lot 8.



Honoree ID: 1490   Created by: MHOH

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