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Personal info

Full name
CAMINITI, Harry William
Date of birth
19 January 1925
Age
20
Place of birth
Farrell, Mercer County, Pennsylvania
Hometown
Farrell, Mercer County, Pennsylvania

Military service

Service number
33680078
Rank
Staff Sergeant
Function
unknown
Unit
F Company,
2nd Battalion,
259th Infantry Regiment,
65th Infantry Division
Awards
Distinguished Service Cross,
Purple Heart

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
19 March 1945
Place of death
Fraulautern, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Lorraine
Plot Row Grave
E 9 22

Immediate family

Members
Frank Caminiti (father)
Angela R. Caminiti (mother)
Jessie Caminiti (sister)
James C. Caminiti (brother)
Victoria Caminiti (sister)
Arthur J. Caminiti (brother)
John R. Caminiti (brother)
Elisabeth Caminiti (sister)

More information

S/Sgt Harry W. Caminiti attended high school for three years before he enlisted in Erie, Pennsylvania on 20 May 1943.

His parents emigrated from Italy.

He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross posthumously. The citation cited: for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company F, 259th Infantry Regiment, 65th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 18 March 1945, in Germany. During an attack on heavily defended Siegfried Line positions near Fraulautern, Germany, Sgt Caminiti's Squad was subjected to extremely heavy machine gun fire emanating from an enemy pill box. Exhibiting cool, heroic leadership he urged his squad forward, courageously silenced the hostile position with demolition charges and grenades and continued the advance forward until he was seriously wounded and the squad forced to take cover. When he saw a comrade hit by enemy rocket-fire he fearlessly went to his aid and although hit again, and mortally wounded, dragged him to safety. S/Sgt Caminiti's intrepid leadership, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty at the cost of his life, exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 65th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.

Source of information: Nick Lieten, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov - WWII Enlistment Record, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record / 1930/1940 Census / WWII Registration Card / Veteran Compensation Files, www.findagrave.com, www.newspapers.com - The Cameron Herald 20 December 1945
Photo source: -