"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 Finegayan 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 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 toward 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 ahead of
the reinforcing tanks and infantry, alternately throwing hand grenades and firing as he advanced to within five to ten yards of the enemy position, 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 firepower, thereby enabling his platoon
to attain 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.
"
From PFC Witek's Medal of Honor citation, awarded on May 20, 1945.
May you be at peace,
Brian & Melonie
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