Corp Frank Joseph Gambino

Advertisement

Corp Frank Joseph Gambino Veteran

Birth
Madison, Dane County, Wisconsin, USA
Death
3 Mar 1945 (aged 22)
Burial
Madison, Dane County, Wisconsin, USA Add to Map
Plot
K6 (Section 2, Block 6, Lot 48)
Memorial ID
View Source
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Frank Joseph Gambino (860868), Assistant Cook, U.S. Marine Corps (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving as a Squad Leader in a platoon of Company L, Third Battalion, Twenty-Third Marines, FOURTH Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 3 March 1945. voluntarily undertaking the rescue of six wounded men of his platoon who lay exposed to devastating enemy fire, Assistant Cook Gambino courageously pressed forward of the front lines through cross-fire from two heavy machine guns and, laboriously crawling and dragging each wounded man back to the protection of rocks, succeeded in rescuing five of the casualties. Despite a serious leg wound received on the fifth trip, he continued his heroic efforts until he lost his life in an attempt to rescue the sixth man. By his persevering spirit, tireless effort and extreme bravery in the face of grave danger, he saved the lives of five of his fellow Marines and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
Commander in Chief, Pacific Forces: Serial 34691 (January 10, 1946)
===========================
This Marine was killed-in-action and as stated "He gallantly gave his life for his country."

"Gambino was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for heroism during World War II. A corporal, he led his platoon throughout the Marshall Islands, Saipan and Tinian campaigns. During the battle of Iwo Jima, ignoring machine gun cross fire, he rished his life to retrieve five wounded soldiers who were under his command. Despite a serious leg wound he received while dragging the fifth man to safety, he went after a sixth and was killed."
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Frank Joseph Gambino (860868), Assistant Cook, U.S. Marine Corps (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving as a Squad Leader in a platoon of Company L, Third Battalion, Twenty-Third Marines, FOURTH Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 3 March 1945. voluntarily undertaking the rescue of six wounded men of his platoon who lay exposed to devastating enemy fire, Assistant Cook Gambino courageously pressed forward of the front lines through cross-fire from two heavy machine guns and, laboriously crawling and dragging each wounded man back to the protection of rocks, succeeded in rescuing five of the casualties. Despite a serious leg wound received on the fifth trip, he continued his heroic efforts until he lost his life in an attempt to rescue the sixth man. By his persevering spirit, tireless effort and extreme bravery in the face of grave danger, he saved the lives of five of his fellow Marines and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
Commander in Chief, Pacific Forces: Serial 34691 (January 10, 1946)
===========================
This Marine was killed-in-action and as stated "He gallantly gave his life for his country."

"Gambino was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for heroism during World War II. A corporal, he led his platoon throughout the Marshall Islands, Saipan and Tinian campaigns. During the battle of Iwo Jima, ignoring machine gun cross fire, he rished his life to retrieve five wounded soldiers who were under his command. Despite a serious leg wound he received while dragging the fifth man to safety, he went after a sixth and was killed."