FReeper Canteen ~ Hall of Heroes: Hector A Cafferata, Jr ~ 08 May 2017

Serving The Best Troops and Veterans In The World !! | StarCMC and The Canteen Crew

[Kathy in Alaska]

Our Troops Rock!  Thank you for all you do!

For the freedom you enjoyed yesterday... Thank the Veterans who served in The United States Armed Forces.

Looking forward to tomorrow's freedom? Support The United States Armed Forces Today!

 

~ Hall of Heroes ~

Hector A Cafferata, Jr.
Information from here.

           

Hector Albert Cafferata, Jr., USMCR (Retired) (November 4, 1929 - April 12, 2016)was a United States Marine who received the Medal of Honor for his heroic service at the Battle of Chosin Reservoir during the Korean War. In November 1950, Pvt Cafferata single-handedly held off a regimental-strength enemy and saved the wounded Marines by hurling away a live grenade that had landed in their midst, at the cost of serious personal injury.

Hector Cafferata was born November 4, 1929, in New York City to Mr. and Mrs. Hector A. Cafferata, Sr. of Montville, New Jersey. He attended elementary school at Parsippany-Troy Hills, New Jersey and high school at Boonton, New Jersey. Starting as a sophomore in high school, he played football for three years, and following graduation, he continued as a semi-pro.

In 1943, he was employed for the Sun Dial Corporation of Caldwell, New Jersey. He enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve on February 15, 1948, and was a member of the 21st Reserve Infantry Battalion at Dover, New Jersey, until called to active duty on September 6, 1950.

After training at Camp Pendleton, California, PFC Cafferata embarked for Korea in October 1950, joining the 2nd Battalion 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division.

Cafferata distinguished himself during the Battle of Chosin Reservoir, single-handedly holding off a regimental-sized enemy force and "annihilating two enemy platoons" after most of his comrades had fallen. When a live grenade fell into the shallow entrenchment occupied by his wounded fellow Marines, he grabbed the grenade and hurled it away — saving the lives of many, but suffering severe wounds.  For these heroic actions, he would later be awarded the Medal of Honor. He was evacuated to Japan in December 1950. Cafferata returned to the United States the following month for treatment at the U. S. Naval Hospital, St. Albans, New York. He was placed on the retired list on September 1, 1951.

On November 24, 1952, President Harry S. Truman awarded the medal to PFC Cafferata during ceremonies at the White House.

 

Medal of Honor citation Head and shoulders of a gray-haired white man wearing glasses, a suit and tie, and a star-shaped medal hanging from a blue ribbon around his neck. Cafferata in 2010

The President of the United States in the name of The Congress takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR to

PRIVATE HECTOR A. CAFFERATA, JR. UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS RESERVE

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a Rifleman with Company F, Second Battalion, Seventh Marines, First Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 28 November 1950. When all the other members of his fire team became casualties, creating a gap in the lines, during the initial phase of a vicious attack launched by a fanatical enemy of regimental strength against his company's hill position, Private Cafferata waged a lone battle with grenades and rifle fire as the attack gained momentum and the enemy threatened penetration through the gap and endangered the integrity of the entire defensive perimeter. Making a target of himself under the devastating fire from automatic weapons, rifles, grenades and mortars, he maneuvered up and down the line and delivered accurate and effective fire against the onrushing force, killing fifteen, wounding many more and forcing the others to withdraw so that reinforcements could move up and consolidate the position. Again fighting desperately against a renewed onslaught later that same morning when a hostile grenade landed in a shallow entrenchment occupied by wounded Marines, Private Cafferata rushed into the gully under heavy fire, seized the deadly missile in his right hand and hurled it free of his comrades before it detonated, severing part of one finger and seriously wounding him in the right hand and arm. Courageously ignoring the intense pain, he staunchly fought on until he was struck by a sniper's bullet and forced to submit to evacuation for medical treatment. Stouthearted and indomitable, Private Cafferata, by his fortitude, great personal valor and dauntless perseverance in the face of almost certain death, saved the lives of several of his fellow Marines and contributed essentially to the success achieved by his company in maintaining its defensive position against tremendous odds. His extraordinary heroism throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

/S/ HARRY S. TRUMAN

Please remember, the Canteen is family friendly and we exist to support and honor our troops and their families, as well as our Allies Troops and theirs.  Thank you to every Soldier, Sailor, Airman, Marine and Coast Guardsman out there for doing what you do to keep us safe.  We are ever in your debt.  And thank you, too, to the families and friends who support them.  God bless our troops.

[radu]

It’s hard not to miss them when they’ve been a part of our lives for so many years.

We just celebrated Buckwheat’s 17th birthday today. He survived cancer at 11 months and a dog mauling a couple of years ago. He’s been a trooper. Wonder if he’ll make it to his 18th birthday.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Glad you and Penny are getting the training needed to stop the pulling. Not fun on walks, especially long ones.

Their loss....you did what you could to help and without acknowledgement. You should be proud knowing you did the right thing.

Sure glad you and Blue got to stretch your legs.

[luvie]

Is he in pretty good health? If so, and I’m pretty sure he’s happy and contented, I’ll bet he will.

Guess I’d better get to the pillows. Well, I’m leaning against them but I guess I’d best snooze on them. After all, I have to rest up for another week of NOT working! LOL!

See ya tomorrow night! Hope you have a pretty day tomorrow and the corn perks up! :)

[radu]

He’s a little crippled from the mauling but is able to get around well enough and has a great appetite. Hasn’t had to go to the vet since the attack. Just have to hope his kidneys and liver hold up because that’s what takes out most elderly cats.

I won’t be around tomorrow night. Have to get up at the crack of dawn Tues. to go to an eye specialist in Chattanooga for a pre-surgery evaluation. If I get on the computer, I know I won’t get off early. So I’m going to leave it alone for the night and get to bed early. But I’ll be here Tues. evening for quiz night.

Sleep well and have a good day tomorrow. Still hoping for rain there!

[E.G.C.]

A very pleasant good Monday morning to everyone at the Canteen and to all our military at home and abroad. Thanks for your service to our country.

((HUGS))Good morning, Ladies. Thanks for this morning's thread, Star. How's it going?

[beachn4fun]

Good morning, Canteen.

Good morning to our

Military, our Allies, and their families.

Thank you, Star (and Ma) for preparing
the Canteen for today's activities.
Hat's off to Hector Albert Cafferata, Jr., USMCR (Ret)

Well, the rain has moved on.
Now, to dry out and dry up the mud.

How was everyone's weekend? Anything interesting happen?
Hubby and I had a relaxing weekend watching movies.
Rented Dr. Strange, Assassins Creed, and Fantastic Beasts.

Gonna catch up on pings.
But please stay right where you are.
Chat up the military or a family member.
No need to fret...you know I'll be back!

The FR Canteen is

Come in and sit for a while.
There's always plenty of coffee, tea,
pancakes, conversation, silliness,
and plain old BS

REMEMBER THEM ~ DEFENDERS OF FREEDOM

FR CANTEEN MISSION STATEMENT

Showing support and boosting the morale of our military and our allied military and the family members of the above. Honoring those who have served before.

[beachn4fun]

while everyone slept...

[beachn4fun]

while everyone slept...

[beachn4fun]

while everyone slept...

[beachn4fun]

while everyone slept...

[E.G.C.]

((HUGS))Good morning, Beach. How’s it going?

[beachn4fun]

Good morning EG ((HUGS))

All is well. Happy to see the sun.

Howz it out your way?

[E.G.C.]

It’s going OK here. Nice weather this past weekend. Bo found turtles at the lake.

[left that other site]

I NEEDED a medal today! Thanks!

(((HUGS)))

[left that other site]

Thank you for those words of encouragement.

[luvie]

Gooooood Monday Mornin', Early Birds!
It's a cool blustery day here.
I like the cool...
...the blustery, not so much!
It's cloudy, too.
Hoping it will rain but probably won't.
Hope all y'all have a Mahv'lus Monday!
And a great week!
Don't work so darn hard!
(((hugs)))

[beachn4fun]

R I P SWOCS KYLE MILLIKEN, USN (Seal)

[beachn4fun]

It’s a bummer they didn’t make you feel more welcomed BUT you did help some and got to go for a nice ride in the sunshine.

[left that other site]

I have a plaque on my kitchen wall that says:

WHO NEEDS THERAPY,
WHEN YOU OWN A HARLEY?

So I “got over it” quick. LOL! :-)

After sixteen years of living in the South, I forgot how to behave like a New Englander, i guess.

[E.G.C.]

((HUGS))Good Monday afternoon, LUV W. How’s it going?