Frank Joseph Gaffney

Private First Class, U.S. Army

Medal of Honor Recipient

World War I

Private First Class Frank J. Gaffney (18 December 1883 - 25 May 1948) was a U.S. Army soldier who received the U.S. military's highest award for valor, the Medal of Honor, for his heroic actions during World War I.

Gaffney was born on 18 December 1883 in Buffalo, NY, and he entered into the Army at Niagara Falls, NY.

Medal of Honor

Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, Company G, 108th Infantry, 27th Division.

Place and date: Near Ronssoy, France, 29 September 1918.

Citation: Pfc. Gaffney, an automatic rifleman, pushing forward alone, after all the other members of his squad had been killed, discovered several Germans placing a heavy machinegun in position. He killed the crew, captured the gun, bombed several dugouts, and, after killing 4 more of the enemy with his pistol, held the position until reinforcements came up, when 80 prisoners were captured.

Death and Burial

Private First Class Frank J. Gaffney died on 25 May 1948. He is buried at the United German and French Cemetery in Buffalo, NY.