The President of the United States,
in the name of The Congress takes pride in presenting
the MEDAL OF HONOR to:
PRIVATE HECTOR A. CAFFERATA Jr.
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS RESERVE
for service as set forth in the following
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 threatene
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 1 finger and
seriously wounding him in the right hand and arm. Courageously ignoring the intense pain,
he staunchly 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.
/S/HARRY S. TRUMAN