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Photo #  NH 106477:  Private First Class Frank P. Witek, USMCR

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Private First Class Frank P. Witek, USMCR, (1921-1944)

Frank Peter Witek was born on 10 December 1921 in Derby, Connecticut. His family relocated to Chicago, Illinois during his youth. After enlisting in the U.S. Marine Corps from that same state for World War II service, he began recruit training in January 1942. Witek subsequently had duty in the Pacific, participated in the Bougainville Campaign and received promotion to Private First Class.

In the Summer of 1944, Witek served with a rifle platoon of the First Battalion, Ninth Marines, Third Marine Division during the invasion of Guam, Marianas Islands. On 3 August, when his unit was taken under fire, Witek covered the other Marines' withdrawal and remained with a fallen comrade until he could be evacuated. Pinned down again, Witek bravely advanced alone to destroy a Japanese machine gun position until he was slain by enemy fire. For his "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity" on this occasion, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. Frank P. Witek is buried at Rock Island National Cemetery, Rock Island, Illinois.

USS Witek (DD-848), 1946-1969, was named in honor of Private First Class Frank P. Witek.

This page features the only image we have concerning Frank P. Witek.


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Photo #: NH 106477

Private First Class Frank P. Witek, USMCR


Halftone reproduction of a photograph, copied from the official publication "Medal of Honor, 1861-1949, The Navy", page 284.
Frank P. Witek was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for "conspicuous gallantry" while serving with the First Battalion, Ninth Marines, Third Marine Division in action against the Japanese at the Battle of Finegayen, Guam, Marianas Islands, on 3 August 1944.

U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

Online Image: 61KB; 580 x 765 pixels

 



Medal of Honor citation of Private First Class Frank P. Witek, USMCR (as printed in the official publication "Medal of Honor, 1861-1949, The Navy", page 284):

"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the First Battalion, Ninth Marines, THIRD Marine Division, during the Battle of Finegayen at Guam, Marianas, on 3 August 1944. When his rifle platoon was halted by heavy surprise fire from well-camouflaged enemy positions, Private First Class Witek daringly remained standing to fire a full magazine from his automatic at point-blank range into a depression housing Japanese troops, killing eight of the enemy and enabling the greater part of his platoon to take cover. During his platoon's withdrawal for consolidation of lines, he remained to safeguard a severely wounded comrade, courageously returning the enemy's fire until the arrival of stretcher bearers, and then covering the evacuation by sustained fire as he moved backward towards his own lines. With his platoon again pinned down by a hostile machine gun, Private First Class Witek, on his own initiative, moved forward boldly to the reinforcing tanks and infantry, alternately throwing hand grenades and firing as he advanced to within 5 to 10 yards of the enemy position, and destroying the hostile machine-gun emplacement and an additional eight Japanese before he himself was struck down by an enemy rifleman. His valiant and inspiring action effectively reduced the enemy's fire power, thereby enabling his platoon to obtain its objective, and reflects the highest credit upon Private First Class Witek and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country."


NOTES:

  • To the best of our knowledge, the pictures referenced here are all in the Public Domain, and can therefore be freely downloaded and used for any purpose.

  • Some images linked from this page may bear obsolete credit lines citing the organization name: "Naval Historical Center". Effective 1 December 2008 the name should be cited as: "Naval History and Heritage Command".


    If you want higher resolution reproductions than the "Online Library's" digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."

  • To the best of our knowledge, the pictureS referenced here are in the Public Domain, and can therefore be freely downloaded and used for any purpose.


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    Page made 7 April 2009
    Edited and reposted 9 September 2009