FReeper Canteen ~ Hall of Heroes: Anthony Casamento ~ May 13, 2013

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

[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!

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~ Hall of Heroes ~

Anthony Casamento
Info from here.

           

Corporal Anthony Casamento, (November 16, 1920褒uly 18, 1987) was presented the Medal of Honor by President Jimmy Carter on September 12, 1980 in a ceremony in the White House Rose Garden, 38 years after Cpl Casamento's heroism on Guadalcanal in 1942.

Casamento was born November 16, 1920 in Manhattan, New York. He enlisted in the Marine Corps on August 19, 1940 in New York City. After completing recruit training at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina, he was assigned to the 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division.

Six months after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, the 5th Marines was on its way to the southwest Pacific to take part in the initial invasion of Japanese-held territory as part of the 1st Marine Division. The Marine landing on Guadalcanal began in August 1942 and Cpl Casamento made the assault with Company D, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines.

On November 1, 1942, while serving as a leader of a machine gun squad in an attack on Japanese positions, Cpl Casamento's Marines came under heavy enemy fire near the Matanikau River. During the ensuing battle, all members of the unit were either killed or severely wounded. Despite his own multiple wounds, Cpl Casamento continued to provide supporting fire and heroically held the enemy at bay, thereby protecting the flanks of adjoining companies until he was physically unable to continue.

Corporal Casamento was treated at a medical aid station, then shipped back to the United States and admitted to the naval hospital in Oakland, California.

In 1964, it was learned that two eyewitnesses to Cpl Casamento's heroism were still alive. That set in motion a chain of events that would ultimately result in his receiving the Medal of Honor in 1980.

Corporal Casamento died July 27, 1987 in the VA hospital in Northport, New York, after a long illness.

In addition to the Medal of Honor, Cpl Casamento's awards include the Purple Heart, the Presidential Unit Citation, the American Defense Service Medal, the American Campaign Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Medal with two bronze stars (for Guadalcanal-Tulagi Landings and Capture and Defense of Guadalcanal), and the World War II Victory Medal

 

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

CORPORAL ANTHONY CASAMENTO UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

for service as set forth in the following CITATION:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with Company "D", First Battalion, Fifth Marines, First Marine Division on Guadalcanal, British Solomon Islands, in action against the enemy Japanese forces on November 1, 1942. Serving as a leader of a machine gun section, Corporal Casamento directed his unit to advance along a ridge near the Matanikau River where they engaged the enemy. He positioned his section to provide covering fire for two flanking units and to provide direct support for the main force of his company which was behind him. During the course of this engagement, all members of his section were either killed or severely wounded and he himself suffered multiple, grievous wounds. Nonetheless, Corporal Casamento continued to provide critical supporting fire for the attack and in defense of his position. Following the loss of all effective personnel, he set up, loaded, and manned his unit's machine gun, tenaciously holding the enemy forces at bay. Corporal Casamento single-handedly engaged and destroyed one machine gun emplacement to his front and took under fire the other emplacement on the flank. Despite the heat and ferocity of the engagement, he continued to man his own weapon and repeatedly repulsed multiple assaults by the enemy forces, thereby protecting the flanks of the adjoining companies and holding his position until the arrival of his main attacking force. Corporal Casamento's courageous fighting spirit, heroic conduct, and unwavering dedication to duty reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.

/S/ JIMMY CARTER

A park in West Islip, NY (his postwar residence) is named after him as is a stretch of highway in Farmingdale, NY.  

Please remember the Canteen is here to honor, support and entertain our troops and their families.  This is a politics-free zone!  Thanks for helping us in our mission! 

[luvie]

Nighty-night, Conor! :)

[laplata]

It’s no surprise to me that Obama banished his bust from the Oval Office. How could anyone bear to have the face of a man peering at him every day whose long, distinguished career in the service of Freedom, the interests of societal order, and the preservation of Western Civilization stands as a stinging chastisement, refutation and condemnation of the class-strife, discord and misrule that Obama and his ilk seek to inflict on us all?

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Very well said and right on, Conor.

The creatures who are presently infesting our White House are pure Evil.

[ConorMacNessa]

Good night, Luv! Sorry we haven't been able to chat more lately - will have to catch up soon!



"Riamh nár dhruid ó sbairn lann!"

Genuflectimus non ad principem sed ad Principem Pacis!

Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 KJV)

[luvie]

I know how busy you’ve been! Hope this is a good week...and we’ll talk soon! :)

[ConorMacNessa]

Good night, Brother!

In my old age I feel compelled to make up for my early indiscretions and bear witness to the Truth. I will not be a subject of these villains or of any other claque of tyrants. By virtue of the sacrifice of my ancestors, I was born free and I will stay free, whatever the cost, as my Fathers and Brothers-in-Arms have done before me.

God Bless you, Laplata! Thank you for your service to our Nation!



"Riamh nár dhruid ó sbairn lann!"

Genuflectimus non ad principem sed ad Principem Pacis!

Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 KJV)

[laplata]

Good night, Brother.

Thank you!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Nice and quiet....I was able to corral and file a lot of paperwork.

A good day, thanks.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Last Post

RIP

Pte Robert Murray Hetherington, British Army
7th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland (7 SCOTS)

Flowers of the Forest – click

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Sand...((HUGS))...are you home, or still visiting?

[Kathy in Alaska]

The list HAS grown....lots of heroes.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, CMS...((HUGS))...and a Happy Mother's Day to Mrs CMS.

[SandRat]

Good evening, Kathy...((HUGS))...we got home about 3:30PM MST.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Happy Mother's Day to The Bride!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good that you are home safe and sound.

[Kathy in Alaska]

The creatures who are presently infesting our White House are pure Evil.

Hear!! Hear!!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thanks, laplata.

[laplata]

Thanks, Kathy. You are very thoughtful and nice. :)

[Diver Dave]

Thank you Kathy for the Honoring Our Heroes graphic.

I had the opportunity at the end of March to express my gratitude to our nephew US Army SSgt Adam at his grand-mother’s memorial service.

Dressed in Dress Uniform while he gave a stirring memorial to his grandmother, tears flowed down my cheeks for the love he shared about his grandmother.

Salute to all our Armed Forces - Past and Present!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Dave...thanks for sharing about SSgt Adam's memorial to his grand-mother.

Our thanks to you, SSgt Adam, for your service to our country.

And to you, as well, Dave.

And a Happy Mother's Day to Mrs Dave.

[Kathy in Alaska]

God Bless you good, Mac. Good night and rest well. Thanks for helping honor our troops, past and present.
Thank you for your service to our country.