FReeper Canteen ~ Hall of Heroes: Hector A Cafferata, Jr ~ 01 July 2019

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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.

[PROCON]

Incredible Heroism, well done Marine, RIP!

Thanks Kathy!

[mountainlion]

81 degrees and light rain, nice day. Everything is green and not white.

[The Mayor]

Freep mail me to be on or off the Daily Bread ping list

July 1

Are You Hungry Now?

Bible in a Year : Job 20–21; Acts 10:24–48

What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? James 2:14

Thomas knew what he needed to do. Having been born to a poor family in India and adopted by Americans, upon a return trip to India he witnessed the dire needs of the children in his hometown. So he knew he had to help. He began making plans to return to the US, finish his education, save a lot of money, and come back in the future.

Then, after reading James 2:14–18 in which James asks, “What good is it . . . if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds?” Thomas heard a little girl in his native country cry out to her mother: “But Mommy, I’m hungry now!” He was reminded of the times he had been intensely hungry as a child—searching through trash cans for food. Thomas knew he couldn’t wait years to help. He decided, “I’ll start now!”

Today the orphanage he began houses fifty well-fed and cared-for children who are learning about Jesus and getting an education—all because one man didn’t put off what he knew God was asking him to do.

James’s message applies to us as well. Our faith in Jesus Christ provides us with great advantages—a relationship with Him, an abundant life, and a future hope. But what good is it doing anyone else if we don’t reach out and help those in need? Can you hear the cry: “I’m hungry now”?

By Dave Branon

Reflect & Pray

What needs around you touch your heart? What’s one thing you can do to help others—even if it seems insignificant?

Direct my steps, O God, toward the actions You want me to take to help someone in need. Thank You for allowing me to be a part of Your work on earth.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Pro...thank God for these heroes.

[Kathy in Alaska]

~ Hall of Heroes: Hector A Cafferata, Jr ~

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[radu]

Greetings to all at the Canteen!

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

THANK YOU
for your service!

[left that other site]

Hi Everybody!

((((HUGS))))

[Kathy in Alaska]

Woohoo....light rain and green for you!! Hope the white is gone for at least several months.

Enjoy your day!

Still hot and smoky here.

[vetvetdoug]

In the last years with President Trump's detente with North Korea, the remains of several of those lost at the Chosin Reservoir have been identified and returned to their families here in the US. There are still hundreds from the Battle of the Chosin Reservoir that still need to be identified and buried at home. This was one brave Marine of the hundreds that fought at the Reservoir.

[SkyDancer]

Hai Kathy! Here (((HUGS)))

[radu]

Howdy, Kathy.

I hope the wind has shifted so y’all can have a break from the smoke. I keep checking the radar in hopes of seeing rain at the park but nothing significant so far. :-(

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Mayor, and thank you for today’s sustenance for body and soul.

“Things” settling down? Happy couple off for a honeymoon?

Ready to take on the new week?

[radu]

Howdy, PRO.

Had a nice weekend? Get out and about for any fun stuff or did you lay low and relax?

[radu]

Howdy, Mayor.

Have you recuperated from yesterday’s wedding festivities?
I imagine it was an exciting day for everyone.

[PROCON]

Hiya radu!

Good weekend, son and I were out at our gun range most of this afternoon. It's hot here but we managed doing handgun, rifle and trap shooting.

Now just relaxin' and getting ready for a lazy Monday.

Howz things with you?

[radu]

Sounds like you had a splendid day, even if it was a bit toasty. Who’s the better shot? :-)

Had another busy, fun day at the museum yesterday and spent most of today recuperating. All that walking gets to my bum back a little but it certainly won’t stop me from volunteering there. It’s way too much fun.

Now waiting for it to cool off a little more before heading to the fireworks tent to pick out this year’s 4th of July goodies. It’s just too hot to think about going there during the daytime.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, radu...the corn happy today?

Mid 70s today, windows open for a couple hours, more smoke, and headed to mid 80s.

[PROCON]

The 4th of July just isn't the same here anymore. The high desert here is just too hot and flammable this time of year so individual fireworks aren't allowed in my city.

We do have city sponsored displays, but it just isn't the same as when I was a kid.

Dang, I don't know how many times I almost blew my fingers off throwing fire crackers at buddies, LOL.

[radu]

Ooooo, you had a little cool-down. Nice! Just too bad it’s going to heat up again. At least you were able to open your windows for a while.

No cool-down for us for a while. It’s beginning to look like we’ll have a hot summer all the way through. We’re overdue for one so it’s not too much of a surprise.
No rain here the past couple of days but pop-up showers are in the forecast all this week. We should get one or two before it’s over. Hope so! The corn’s very happy right now and we’d like to keep it that way.