Frank R. Fratellenico

Infobox Military Person
name=Frank R. Fratellenico
born= Birth date|1951|7|14
died= death date and age|1970|8|19|1951|7|14
placeofbirth=Sharon, Connecticut
placeofdeath=Quang Tri Province, Republic of Vietnam
placeofburial=


caption= Frank R. Fratellenico, Army Medal of Honor recipient
nickname=
allegiance=United States of America
branch=United States Army
serviceyears=
rank=Corporal
commands=
unit=502nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division
battles=Vietnam War
awards=Medal of Honor
relations=
laterwork=

Frank R. Fratellenico (July 14, 1951 – August 19, 1970) was a United States Army soldier and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in the Vietnam War.

Biography

Fratellenico joined the Army from Albany, New York, and by August 19, 1970 was serving as a Corporal in Company B, 2d Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division. During a firefight on that day, in Quang Tri Province, Republic of Vietnam, Fratellenico was about to throw a hand grenade when he was wounded, causing him to drop the activated device. He then smothered the grenade with his body, sacrificing his life to protect his fellow soldiers from the blast.

Medal of Honor citation

Corporal Fratellenico's official Medal of Honor citation reads::Cpl. Fratellenico distinguished himself while serving as a rifleman with Company B. Cpl. Fratellenico's squad was pinned down by intensive fire from 2 well-fortified enemy bunkers. At great personal risk Cpl. Fratellenico maneuvered forward and, using hand grenades, neutralized the first bunker which was occupied by a number of enemy soldiers. While attacking the second bunker, enemy fire struck Cpl. Fratellenico, causing him to fall to the ground and drop a grenade which he was preparing to throw. Alert to the imminent danger to his comrades, Cpl. Fratellenico retrieved the grenade and fell upon it an instant before it exploded. His heroic actions prevented death or serious injury to 4 of his comrades nearby and inspired his unit which subsequently overran the enemy position. Cpl. Fratellenico's conspicuous gallantry, extraordinary heroism, and intrepidity at the cost of his life, above and beyond the call of duty, are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on him, his unit, and the U.S. Army.

ee also

*List of Medal of Honor recipients
*List of Medal of Honor recipients for the Vietnam War

References

*cite web
publisher = U.S. Army Center of Military History
title = Medal of Honor Recipients - Vietnam (A-L)
work = Medal of Honor Citations
date = July 16, 2007
url = http://www.army.mil/cmh/html/moh/vietnam-a-l.html
accessdate = 2007-07-27

External links

*findagrave|7028102 Retrieved on 2008-07-02

Persondata
NAME= Fratellenico, Frank R.
ALTERNATIVE NAMES=
SHORT DESCRIPTION= United States Army Medal of Honor recipient
DATE OF BIRTH= July 14, 1951
PLACE OF BIRTH= Sharon, Connecticut
DATE OF DEATH= August 19, 1970
PLACE OF DEATH= Quang Tri Province, Republic of Vietnam