Medal of Honor Recipient Hector A. Cafferata, Jr. Passes Away at 86

Earned Nation's Highest Award for Valor during Korea

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Congressional Medal of Honor Society

Apr 13, 2016, 11:10 ET

MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C., April 13, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Congressional Medal of Honor Society announces that Private First Class Hector A. Cafferata, Jr., Medal of Honor recipient, passed away Tuesday evening, April 12, 2016, in Venice, Florida at the age of 86.

Private Cafferata was born on November 4, 1929 in New York City, New York. Cafferata played semi-pro football and was working at the Sun Dial Corporation when he enlisted in the Marines in 1948. He was serving as a Private in the First Marine Division at the Battle of Chosin Reservoir in 1950 when all other members of his team became casualties during an attack. Cafferata waged a lone battle against the enemy. Making himself a target, he maneuvered to deliver fire, forcing withdrawal of the onrushing force. Then, during another enemy onslaught, Cafferata seized an enemy grenade and hurled it free of his comrades before it detonated, sustaining injuries but saving the lives of his fellow Marines. He continued fighting until stopped by a sniper's bullet.

He was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Harry S. Truman at a White House ceremony on November 24, 1952.

Hector A. Cafferata, Jr. is survived by his wife Doris and four children. Funeral services are pending. There are 76 recipients alive today.

About the Congressional Medal of Honor Society

The Congressional Medal of Honor Society was chartered by Congress in 1958 and consists exclusively of the living recipients of our nation's highest award for bravery in combat, the Medal of Honor. Those who wear this light blue ribbon and Medal around their neck are "recipients" of this prestigious award; they are not "winners." Although it is common to refer to the Medal as the Congressional Medal of Honor, it is simply named the Medal of Honor, although, as stated, the Congress did establish the Society as the Congressional Medal of Honor Society.

Contact: Victoria Kueck
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SOURCE Congressional Medal of Honor Society