Korean War Medal of Honor Recipient. Raised in Northern, New Jersey, he excelled athletically, as he participated in football during his high school years. He enlisted with the United States Marine Corps Reserves in 1948 and was assigned to the 21st Reserve Infantry Battalion located in New Jersey. Called up for active duty in 1950, he was sent to train at Camp Pendleton in California and as a Private First Class, he departed for Korea in October 1950. A participant in the Chosin Reservoir Campaign (1950), his Medal of Honor citation reads "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, Private Cafferata waged a lone battle with grenades and rifle fire as the attack gained momentum and the enemy threatened 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 the same morning when a hostile grenade landed in a shallow entrenchment occupied by wounded marines, Private 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, Private 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 US Naval Service." He was presented with the Medal of Honor by President Harry S. Truman in a ceremony at the White House on November 24, 1952. He was additionally awarded a Purple Heart, Presidential Unit Citation, the United Nations Service Media and a Bronze Star.