FReeper Canteen ~ Hall of Heroes: Hector A Cafferata, Jr ~ 20 May 2024

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[Kathy in Alaska]

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~ 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]

Greetings to all at the Canteen!

To all our military men and women, past and present,

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, radu...still fighting with the rain?

Some sun today. 5 minutes of rain. Overcast. A good day to be inside as the weather cannot make up its mind.

[radu]

Howdy, Kathy.

Not exactly a pretty day up there, is it? If it’s gonna be cloudy, it would nice it there was some rain with it. Y’all could use some at this point.

Did you get everything straightened up this weekend?

[SkyDancer]

Hai Kathy! (((Hugs))) - just enjoying a nice Sunday with friends.

[PROCON]

Thanks for tonight’s Canteen and for honoring this Hero, Kathy!

[radu]

Ah, you did get a little rain. Good. There was a sprinkle at Lake Hood but it didn’t look like much was going on over your way.

It turned out to be a nice day here. A few clouds, a nice breeze, and it wasn’t too hot. It was nice being able to sit on the patio for a little while, listening to the cicadas.

[Kathy in Alaska]

~ Hall of Heroes: Hector A Cafferata, Jr ~

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[MoochPooch]

Evening, Kathy!

[radu]

Howdy, PRO!

Did you have a nice weekend? Spend some time being entertained by those darling pups?

[Kathy in Alaska]

Hello Veterans, wherever you are!!

[The Mayor]

May 20

God in the Past and Present

Bible in a Year :

• 1 Chronicles 10-12
• John 6:45-71

I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place.

Jeremiah 29:10

It had been years since we left the Oregon town where we raised our family. We’d made great memories there, and the recent visit reminded me of moments I’d forgotten: our girls’ soccer games, our old home, church gatherings, and our friends’ Mexican restaurant. The town had changed, but there was enough of the familiar to spark my desire to return for a visit. 

When the Israelites went into exile in Babylon, they missed the familiarity of people, landmarks, and culture. They forgot they’d been exiled for rebelling against God. When false prophets told the exiles they’d return home within two years (Jeremiah 28:2-4; 29:8-9), they found a receptive audience. It was easy to listen to the slick words of false prophets who promised a return home soon.

God didn’t take kindly to these peddlers of the past and their false promises. “Do not let the prophets and diviners among you deceive you,” He said (29:8). He had plans for His people, “plans to give [them] hope and a future” (v. 11). The situation was challenging, difficult, and new, but God was with them. “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart,” He told them (v. 13). God would bring them “back to the place from which I carried you into exile” (v. 14), but in His timing.

Nostalgia plays tricks on the mind, making it easy to long for what once was. Don’t miss what God is doing right now. He will fulfill His promises. 

Reflect & Pray

What difficulty are you facing today? How is God showing Himself faithful?

Father, may I continue to look for You in the present and not long for the past.

[left that other site]

Hi Everybody!

(((HUGS)))

[Kathy in Alaska]

Mostly. This has been one of those weekends where you need something from this room, find something to do here, go back to the first room, start on something, make progress, but need to go to that room, but find something to do there. But I’ve gotten several things done that needed some time to do them. A “hodgepodge” of little jobs completed, that weren’t on the list. LOL!

[PROCON]

Hiya radu, yeah spent some time again visiting Robin and the pups, our weather been fantastic so been able to be outside a lot.

Howz things your way?

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Janey...((HUGS))...enjoy your day. Everyone enjoy their uber tour?

[radu]

LOL! I know those kinds of days too well. It feels like you’re going in circles but by the end, it pays off.
Now you’ve gotten those little jobs done and out of the way. Sounds like a pretty good weekend.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Pro...hope you had a nice spring weekend.

[radu]

So you’re the one hoggin’ up all the fantastic weather, huh? Ya need to share a little of that stuff. LOL
We’ll have a nice day or two, then it’s ugly. Today was beautiful and we have two more pretty, though hot, days ahead. Then the rest of the week will be wet.

[luvie]

Hector Albert Cafferata, Jr., USMCR (Retired)
November 4, 1929 - April 12, 2016
United States Marine
Medal of Honor Recipient
for heroic service at Chosin Reservoir Battle
during Korean War.
What a brave hero! RIP....