*KROTIAK, ANTHONY L.
Rank and organization: Private First Class,
U.S. Army, Company I, 148th Infantry, 37th Infantry Division. Place and date:
Balete Pass, Luzon, Philippine Islands, 8 May 1945. Entered service at: Chicago,
Ill. Born: 15 August 1915, Chicago, Ill. G.O. No: 18, 13 February 1946.
Citation:
He was an acting squad leader, directing his men in consolidating a newly won
position on Hill B when the enemy concentrated small arms fire and grenades upon him and 4
others, driving them to cover in an abandoned Japanese trench. A grenade thrown from above
landed in the center of the group. Instantly pushing his comrades aside and jamming the
grenade into the earth with his rifle butt, he threw himself over it, making a shield of
his body to protect the other men. The grenade exploded under him, and he died a few
minutes later. By his extraordinary heroism in deliberately giving his life to save those
of his comrades, Pfc. Krotiak set an inspiring example of utter devotion and
self-sacrifice which reflects the highest traditions of the military service.
