OBITUARY
PRESS AND SUN-BULLETIN
BINGHAMTON, BROOME CO, NEW YORK, USA
SUNDAY, 12 NOVEMBER 1967
PAGE 63
MARINE CORPORAL
WILLET R. AMENDOLA
Marine Corporal Willet R. Amendola, 19, Loomis Hill Road, Deposit, was killed In Vietnam on November 2. He is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Amendola, Deposit; four brothers, Gary, Scott, Raymond, and Wayne, all at home. He had graduated from Deposit Central High School in June, 1964, where he was vice president of his graduating class, and a member of the student council. He was also a letterman in football and wrestling and performed in the senior class play. Funeral services will be held Monday at 1 p. m at the Deposit Methodist Church. The Rev. Orson Rice, pastor of the Deposit Methodist Church, will officiate Burial will be In Laurel Bank Cemetery, Deposit. Friends may call at the Polumbo Funeral Home, 48 Pine St. Deposit, Sunday from 5 to 9 p. m.
____________________________________________
Corporal Willet Rankin Amendola was born on 14 Apr 1948 in Deposit, Delaware Co, NY, the son of Franklin D. and Audrey I. Amendola.
He graduated from Deposit Central High School in the Class of 1966 and joined U.S. Marine Corp.
He was killed in action on 02 Nov 1967 in South Vietnam and was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross, USMC Silver Star and the Purple Heart. Below are the citations describing his bravery in action.
Willet was survived by his parents and three younger brothers; Gary I., Scott R. and Wayne F.
NAVY CROSS (Vietnam)
THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY
Washington
The President of the United States, takes pride in presenting the NAVY CROSS posthumously to:
CORPORAL WILLET R. AMENDOLA
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
for service as set forth in the following:
CITATION:
For extraordinary heroism while serving as a Mortar Man with Company M, Second Platoon, Third Battalion, Seventh Marines, First Marine Division (Reinforced), in Quang Nam Province, Republic of Vietnam, on the morning of 2 November, 1967. The platoon-sized combat base, of which Corporal Amendola was part, was assaulted by an estimated 100 of the enemy. Maneuvering under the cover of darkness and a heavy mortar barrage, the insurgent forces were almost on the position before an effective defense could be established. Corporal Amendola, who's bunker was on the side of the perimeter which was being breached, fought with great tenacity and fearlessness, as he stoutly held his ground in the face of the oncoming enemy. He and the men in his bunker were holding their own, when Corporal Amendola left his position for scant seconds to give assistance at the 60mm mortar pit. In the brief time an undetected enemy threw a satchel charge, which demolished the bunker and Corporal Amendola's weapon. Finding, then, that the mortar tube was in enemy possession, he bravely attempted to recover it. Unarmed and fortified with only sheer courage, he ran into the midst of the enemy forces in hand to hand combat. Grappling for the mortar tube, he succeeded in recapturing it, when another Viet Cong appeared and mortally wounded him with a burst of automatic fire. By his dauntless courage, initiative and indomitable fighting spirit, Corporal Amendola served to inspire all who observed him and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
For the President,
Secretary of the Navy
AMENDOLA, WILLET RANKIN (KIA)
USMC SILVER STAR (Vietnam)
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Silver Star Medal (Posthumously) to Willet Rankin Amendola (2303053), Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Company M, 3d Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam on November 2, 1967. By his courage, aggressive fighting spirit and steadfast devotion to duty in the face of extreme personal danger, Corporal Amendola upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
PRESS AND SUN-BULLETIN
BINGHAMTON, BROOME CO, NEW YORK, USA
SUNDAY, 12 NOVEMBER 1967
PAGE 63
MARINE CORPORAL
WILLET R. AMENDOLA
Marine Corporal Willet R. Amendola, 19, Loomis Hill Road, Deposit, was killed In Vietnam on November 2. He is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Amendola, Deposit; four brothers, Gary, Scott, Raymond, and Wayne, all at home. He had graduated from Deposit Central High School in June, 1964, where he was vice president of his graduating class, and a member of the student council. He was also a letterman in football and wrestling and performed in the senior class play. Funeral services will be held Monday at 1 p. m at the Deposit Methodist Church. The Rev. Orson Rice, pastor of the Deposit Methodist Church, will officiate Burial will be In Laurel Bank Cemetery, Deposit. Friends may call at the Polumbo Funeral Home, 48 Pine St. Deposit, Sunday from 5 to 9 p. m.
____________________________________________
Corporal Willet Rankin Amendola was born on 14 Apr 1948 in Deposit, Delaware Co, NY, the son of Franklin D. and Audrey I. Amendola.
He graduated from Deposit Central High School in the Class of 1966 and joined U.S. Marine Corp.
He was killed in action on 02 Nov 1967 in South Vietnam and was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross, USMC Silver Star and the Purple Heart. Below are the citations describing his bravery in action.
Willet was survived by his parents and three younger brothers; Gary I., Scott R. and Wayne F.
NAVY CROSS (Vietnam)
THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY
Washington
The President of the United States, takes pride in presenting the NAVY CROSS posthumously to:
CORPORAL WILLET R. AMENDOLA
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
for service as set forth in the following:
CITATION:
For extraordinary heroism while serving as a Mortar Man with Company M, Second Platoon, Third Battalion, Seventh Marines, First Marine Division (Reinforced), in Quang Nam Province, Republic of Vietnam, on the morning of 2 November, 1967. The platoon-sized combat base, of which Corporal Amendola was part, was assaulted by an estimated 100 of the enemy. Maneuvering under the cover of darkness and a heavy mortar barrage, the insurgent forces were almost on the position before an effective defense could be established. Corporal Amendola, who's bunker was on the side of the perimeter which was being breached, fought with great tenacity and fearlessness, as he stoutly held his ground in the face of the oncoming enemy. He and the men in his bunker were holding their own, when Corporal Amendola left his position for scant seconds to give assistance at the 60mm mortar pit. In the brief time an undetected enemy threw a satchel charge, which demolished the bunker and Corporal Amendola's weapon. Finding, then, that the mortar tube was in enemy possession, he bravely attempted to recover it. Unarmed and fortified with only sheer courage, he ran into the midst of the enemy forces in hand to hand combat. Grappling for the mortar tube, he succeeded in recapturing it, when another Viet Cong appeared and mortally wounded him with a burst of automatic fire. By his dauntless courage, initiative and indomitable fighting spirit, Corporal Amendola served to inspire all who observed him and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
For the President,
Secretary of the Navy
AMENDOLA, WILLET RANKIN (KIA)
USMC SILVER STAR (Vietnam)
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Silver Star Medal (Posthumously) to Willet Rankin Amendola (2303053), Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Company M, 3d Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam on November 2, 1967. By his courage, aggressive fighting spirit and steadfast devotion to duty in the face of extreme personal danger, Corporal Amendola upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
OBITUARY
PRESS AND SUN-BULLETIN
BINGHAMTON, BROOME CO, NEW YORK, USA
SUNDAY, 12 NOVEMBER 1967
PAGE 63
MARINE CORPORAL
WILLET R. AMENDOLA
Marine Corporal Willet R. Amendola, 19, Loomis Hill Road, Deposit, was killed In Vietnam on November 2. He is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Amendola, Deposit; four brothers, Gary, Scott, Raymond, and Wayne, all at home. He had graduated from Deposit Central High School in June, 1964, where he was vice president of his graduating class, and a member of the student council. He was also a letterman in football and wrestling and performed in the senior class play. Funeral services will be held Monday at 1 p. m at the Deposit Methodist Church. The Rev. Orson Rice, pastor of the Deposit Methodist Church, will officiate Burial will be In Laurel Bank Cemetery, Deposit. Friends may call at the Polumbo Funeral Home, 48 Pine St. Deposit, Sunday from 5 to 9 p. m.
____________________________________________
Corporal Willet Rankin Amendola was born on 14 Apr 1948 in Deposit, Delaware Co, NY, the son of Franklin D. and Audrey I. Amendola.
He graduated from Deposit Central High School in the Class of 1966 and joined U.S. Marine Corp.
He was killed in action on 02 Nov 1967 in South Vietnam and was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross, USMC Silver Star and the Purple Heart. Below are the citations describing his bravery in action.
Willet was survived by his parents and three younger brothers; Gary I., Scott R. and Wayne F.
NAVY CROSS (Vietnam)
THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY
Washington
The President of the United States, takes pride in presenting the NAVY CROSS posthumously to:
CORPORAL WILLET R. AMENDOLA
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
for service as set forth in the following:
CITATION:
For extraordinary heroism while serving as a Mortar Man with Company M, Second Platoon, Third Battalion, Seventh Marines, First Marine Division (Reinforced), in Quang Nam Province, Republic of Vietnam, on the morning of 2 November, 1967. The platoon-sized combat base, of which Corporal Amendola was part, was assaulted by an estimated 100 of the enemy. Maneuvering under the cover of darkness and a heavy mortar barrage, the insurgent forces were almost on the position before an effective defense could be established. Corporal Amendola, who's bunker was on the side of the perimeter which was being breached, fought with great tenacity and fearlessness, as he stoutly held his ground in the face of the oncoming enemy. He and the men in his bunker were holding their own, when Corporal Amendola left his position for scant seconds to give assistance at the 60mm mortar pit. In the brief time an undetected enemy threw a satchel charge, which demolished the bunker and Corporal Amendola's weapon. Finding, then, that the mortar tube was in enemy possession, he bravely attempted to recover it. Unarmed and fortified with only sheer courage, he ran into the midst of the enemy forces in hand to hand combat. Grappling for the mortar tube, he succeeded in recapturing it, when another Viet Cong appeared and mortally wounded him with a burst of automatic fire. By his dauntless courage, initiative and indomitable fighting spirit, Corporal Amendola served to inspire all who observed him and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
For the President,
Secretary of the Navy
AMENDOLA, WILLET RANKIN (KIA)
USMC SILVER STAR (Vietnam)
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Silver Star Medal (Posthumously) to Willet Rankin Amendola (2303053), Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Company M, 3d Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam on November 2, 1967. By his courage, aggressive fighting spirit and steadfast devotion to duty in the face of extreme personal danger, Corporal Amendola upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
PRESS AND SUN-BULLETIN
BINGHAMTON, BROOME CO, NEW YORK, USA
SUNDAY, 12 NOVEMBER 1967
PAGE 63
MARINE CORPORAL
WILLET R. AMENDOLA
Marine Corporal Willet R. Amendola, 19, Loomis Hill Road, Deposit, was killed In Vietnam on November 2. He is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Amendola, Deposit; four brothers, Gary, Scott, Raymond, and Wayne, all at home. He had graduated from Deposit Central High School in June, 1964, where he was vice president of his graduating class, and a member of the student council. He was also a letterman in football and wrestling and performed in the senior class play. Funeral services will be held Monday at 1 p. m at the Deposit Methodist Church. The Rev. Orson Rice, pastor of the Deposit Methodist Church, will officiate Burial will be In Laurel Bank Cemetery, Deposit. Friends may call at the Polumbo Funeral Home, 48 Pine St. Deposit, Sunday from 5 to 9 p. m.
____________________________________________
Corporal Willet Rankin Amendola was born on 14 Apr 1948 in Deposit, Delaware Co, NY, the son of Franklin D. and Audrey I. Amendola.
He graduated from Deposit Central High School in the Class of 1966 and joined U.S. Marine Corp.
He was killed in action on 02 Nov 1967 in South Vietnam and was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross, USMC Silver Star and the Purple Heart. Below are the citations describing his bravery in action.
Willet was survived by his parents and three younger brothers; Gary I., Scott R. and Wayne F.
NAVY CROSS (Vietnam)
THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY
Washington
The President of the United States, takes pride in presenting the NAVY CROSS posthumously to:
CORPORAL WILLET R. AMENDOLA
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
for service as set forth in the following:
CITATION:
For extraordinary heroism while serving as a Mortar Man with Company M, Second Platoon, Third Battalion, Seventh Marines, First Marine Division (Reinforced), in Quang Nam Province, Republic of Vietnam, on the morning of 2 November, 1967. The platoon-sized combat base, of which Corporal Amendola was part, was assaulted by an estimated 100 of the enemy. Maneuvering under the cover of darkness and a heavy mortar barrage, the insurgent forces were almost on the position before an effective defense could be established. Corporal Amendola, who's bunker was on the side of the perimeter which was being breached, fought with great tenacity and fearlessness, as he stoutly held his ground in the face of the oncoming enemy. He and the men in his bunker were holding their own, when Corporal Amendola left his position for scant seconds to give assistance at the 60mm mortar pit. In the brief time an undetected enemy threw a satchel charge, which demolished the bunker and Corporal Amendola's weapon. Finding, then, that the mortar tube was in enemy possession, he bravely attempted to recover it. Unarmed and fortified with only sheer courage, he ran into the midst of the enemy forces in hand to hand combat. Grappling for the mortar tube, he succeeded in recapturing it, when another Viet Cong appeared and mortally wounded him with a burst of automatic fire. By his dauntless courage, initiative and indomitable fighting spirit, Corporal Amendola served to inspire all who observed him and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
For the President,
Secretary of the Navy
AMENDOLA, WILLET RANKIN (KIA)
USMC SILVER STAR (Vietnam)
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Silver Star Medal (Posthumously) to Willet Rankin Amendola (2303053), Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Company M, 3d Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam on November 2, 1967. By his courage, aggressive fighting spirit and steadfast devotion to duty in the face of extreme personal danger, Corporal Amendola upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
Inscription
USMC Bronze raised EGA insignia centered at the top of the granite marker
WILLET R AMENDOLA
NEW YORK
CPL CO M 7 MAR 1 MAR DIV
VIETNAM PH
APRIL 14 1948 NOV 2 1967
