- SURNAME
Stefanich
- FORENAME
Anthony M.
- UNIT
505 Parachute Infantry Regiment (Company C)
- RANK
Captain
- NUMBER
0-1287431
- DATE OF DEATH
18th September 1944
- AGE
28
- GRAVESITE
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
from Bradley,Kankakee County,Illinois
born 1916 Bradley,Illinois
Illinois National Guard 1939 (Private)
entered service 6.3.1941
Company L 129 Infantry Regiment
Sergeant
Officer Candidate School 1942
Second Lieutenant
505 PIR
WIA 1943 Norway
awards Silver Star,Bronze Star
KIA Breedeweg-Grafwegen,Holland
DATE OF DEATH:
18-Sep-1944AWARD:
https://www.specialforcesroh.com/index.php?threads/stefanich-anthony-m.35374/CITATION:
Silver Star : The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Captain (Infantry) Anthony M. Stefanich (ASN: 0-1287431), United States Army, for gallantry in action on 18 September 1944, near ***, Holland. At 1430 hours, 18 September 1944, Captain Stefanich, Company C, 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, led his company in a sweeping movement and cleared a landing zone for incoming gliders. When he reached his objective, a flak-riddled glider, out of control, landed about one hundred and fifty yards in front of his company in enemy-held territory. The enemy turned its fire from the company to the glider. Captain Stefanich at once took a patrol and outflanked the enemy. He scattered and annihilated them with the exception of one group in a building. Then, with total disregard for his own personal safety, he dashed fifty yards to the glider and helped the pilot to safety. As he returned to the glider to recover more men, he was fatally wounded by fire from a sniper. By his actions and exemplary leadership his patrol was inspired to continue evacuation of the other personnel in the glider. During all his actions he was exposed to heavy small arms fire from the enemy in the building two hundred yards away. His courage and leadership were exemplary and outstanding. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.
WEB LINKS:
https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/91640
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