Captain Willibald C. Bianchi served in the U.S. Army for 5 years. Willibald served with the U.S. Army, 45th Infantry, Philippine Scouts. Willibald served in World War II. Willibald was 29 years old.
A first lieutenant of the 45th Infantry Regiment, Philippine Scouts. On 3 February 1942 near Bagac on Bataan he was shot twice through the left hand and again through the chest, and kept going until he was blown off a tank by a third wound. He survived the Death March and three years as a prisoner, and was killed on 9 January 1945 when American aircraft sank the unmarked prison ship carrying him to Japan.
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action with the enemy on 3 February 1942, near Bagac, Province of Bataan, Philippine Islands. When the rifle platoon of another company was ordered to wipe out two strong enemy machine-gun nests, 1st Lt. Bianchi, voluntarily and of his own initiative, advanced with the platoon leading part of the men. When wounded early in the action by two bullets through the left hand, he did not stop for first aid but discarded his rifle and began firing a pistol. He located a machine-gun nest and personally silenced it with grenades. When wounded the second time by two machine-gun bullets through the chest muscles, 1st Lt. Bianchi climbed to the top of an American tank, manned its antiaircraft machine gun, and fired into strongly held enemy position until knocked completely off the tank by a third severe wound.
Awards & Decorations
8
For valor
Medal of Honor - Army posthumous
General Orders No. 11, 5 March 1942.
Campaign and service medals
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal 3 bronze service stars
American Defense Service Medal 1 bronze service star
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