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

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[Kathy in Alaska]

 

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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! 

[Diver Dave]

Thank You Conor for your presentations honoring Our Troops and Allies.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Last Post

RIP

Fusilier Samuel Flint, British Army
2nd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland (2 SCOTS)

Flowers of the Forest – click

[Kathy in Alaska]

The very last bit of snow has finally departed the yard. Today was gentle rain.

[E.G.C.]

A very pleasant good 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?

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good morning, E...((HUGS))...you and Bo have a great Monday.

I am off to bed.

[Kathy in Alaska]

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good morning/afternoon/evening/night Troops, wherever you are.

Thank you for doing your part to help keep all of us free and safe.

Thanks, unique, for the pastries.

Coffee is always on........

How about a donut?

Cookies?

Veggies?

Sandwich?

[Kathy in Alaska]

God bless and keep safe our troops worldwide.

Good night.

Statler Brothers ~ How Great Thou Art

[E.G.C.]

Monday Morning Coffee Bump.

[CMS]

Thanks. It was an odd few days of Ashleigh getting used to me again when she got back, now she won’t leave my side and loves to nap curled up in my arms.

[Arrowhead1952]

Good morning to everyone at the Canteen. It's a cool 56º here this morning.

[beachn4fun]

Good morning dear ((HUGS))

Got a busy day ahead so no hanging around Canteen today.

Have a great Monday

[PROCON]

Hiya Beachie!!

I see you're a busy girl this AM, hope you get some relax time!

Had a restful weekend, weather has cooled back down and we may get some wet stuff.

Really need coffee this morning...

Have a wonderous day!

[beachn4fun]

A quick Good morning Pro ((HUGS))

Yeah, between emails and reports I haven’t had much time to breath.

I had a busy weekend but not overly tiring. Nice day yesterday.

Have a marvelicious Monday

[luvie]

Gooood Mahv'lus Monday, Early Birds!
It's beautiful here...a cool 60
and clear and calm!
Hope all of you have a great start to the week!
....and get it all done so you can go home on time!
((((hugs))))

[MEG33]

Happy Monday Everyone

Wishing You All A Great Week
*Hugs*
Thank You To All Who Serve Our Country

[E.G.C.]

((HUGS))How’s it going?

[Arrowhead1952]

Good afternoon ladies and (((HUGS))). It’s already 81 here.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good afternoon, Arrowhead...((HUGS))...glad you got rain, but hope the high temps don’t eat it all up.

[Kathy in Alaska]

"...now she won’t leave my side..."

How hard is that to take, huh, Dad? d:o)