Hector Albert Cafferata Jr (1929 - 2016)

Born 4 Nov 1929 in New York

Died 12 Apr 2016 at age 86 in Florida

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Biography

Hector Cafferata Jr was awarded the Medal of Honor.

Hector Cafferata Jr is a Military Veteran.
Served in the United States Marine Corps 1948-1951
in the Korean War.

Private First Class Hector Albert Cafferata, Jr., of Montville, New Jersey, earned the Medal of Honor during the Chosin Reservoir campaign of 1950.

The Medal of Honor was presented to PFC Cafferata by President Harry S. Truman during ceremonies at the White House, 24 November 1952.

Hector Albert Cafferata, Jr. was born 4 November 1929, in New York City. He attended elementary school in Parsippany, New Jersey, and high school in Boonton, New Jersey, until 1943, when he went to work for the Sun Dial Corporation of Cauldwell, New Jersey. He played football for three years in high school and for two more years as a semi-pro. He enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve on 15 February 1948, and was a member of the 21st Reserve Infantry Battalion in Dover, New Jersey, until called to active duty on 6 September 1950.

After training at Camp Pendleton, California, PFC Cafferata embarked for Korea in October 1950, joining the 2d Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division. Because of the wounds he suffered during the action in which he earned the Medal of Honor, he was evacuated to Japan in December 1950, and 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 1 September 1951.

Private First Class Cafferata passed away at the age of 86 on 12 April 2016 in Venice, Florida. He was laid to rest at Quantico National Cemetery in Viriginia on 22 April.

In addition to the Medal of Honor and the Purple Heart, PFC Cafferata's medals include the Presidential Unit Citation, the Korean Service Medal with one bronze star, the National Defense Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, and the Korean Presidential Unit Citation.

Enlisted in the USMCR in 1948 and was activated in 1950. Joined the 2nd Battalion 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division in Korea.

Received the Medal of Honor on 11/24/1952 for his efforts during the Battle of Chosin Reservoir as a USMC private.

BURIAL Quantico National Cemetery Quantico, Prince William County, Virginia, USA^[1]

Medal of Honor

• RANK: PRIVATE
• CONFLICT/ERA: KOREAN WAR
• UNIT/COMMAND: COMPANY F, 2D BATTALION, 7TH MARINES, 1ST MARINE DIVISION (REIN)
• MILITARY SERVICE BRANCH: U.S. MARINE CORPS RESERVE
• MEDAL OF HONOR ACTION DATE: NOVEMBER 28, 1950
• MEDAL OF HONOR ACTION PLACE: TOKTONG PASS, KOREA

CITATION: 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, in action against enemy aggressor forces. 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, Pvt. 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 15, 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, Pvt. 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 stanchly fought on until he was struck by a sniper's bullet and forced to submit to evacuation for medical treatment. Stouthearted and indomitable, Pvt. 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 U.S. Naval Service.

Sources

1. ↑ https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/160985335/hector-albert-cafferata

• Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Retrieved 9 Dec 2022
• Congressional Medal of Honor Society retrieved 9 Dec 2022