Frank R. Fratellenico

He shielded four comrades from a grenade while under gunfire

Frank Rocco Fratellenico was born in Sharon, Connecticut, on 14 July 1951. He grew up in Chatham, New York, and left high school to enlist in September 1969. After training at Fort Dix, Fort Gordon and Fort Benning, he arrived in Vietnam in May 1970. He served as a U.S. Army corporal in Company B, 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry, 101st Airborne Division during the Vietnam War.

Near Fire Base Barnett in Quang Tri Province on 19 August 1970, his squad was pinned down by two fortified bunkers. Fratellenico advanced and neutralized the first with grenades. While attacking the second, he was hit and dropped a grenade he was preparing to throw.

He retrieved it and fell onto it before it exploded, protecting four nearby comrades at the cost of his life. His unit subsequently overran the position.

Vice President Gerald R. Ford presented his posthumous Medal of Honor to his family at Blair House on 8 August 1974. His citation honors both his attack on the bunkers and his final protection of his fellow soldiers.

Medal of Honor citation

Cpl. Fratellenico distinguished himself while serving as a rifleman with Company B. Cpl. Fratellenico's squad was pinned down by intensive fire from two 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 four 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 upon him, his unit, and the U.S. Army.