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.
Krotiak, Anthony L.
