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Congressional Medal of Honor Society

Stories of Sacrifice

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World War II - U.S. Army

Willibald Charles Bianchi

Details
  • Rank: First Lieutenant (Highest Rank: Captain)
  • Conflict/Era: World War II
  • Unit/Command:
    45th Infantry,
    Philippine Scouts
  • Military Service Branch: U.S. Army
  • Medal of Honor Action Date: February 3, 1942
  • Medal of Honor Action Place: near Bagac, Bataan Province, Luzon, Philippine Islands
Citation

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.

Medal of Honor Recipient Willibald C. Bianchi
Medal of Honor Recipient Willibald C. Bianchi
Additional Details
  • Accredited to: New Ulm, Brown County, Minnesota
  • Awarded Posthumously: Yes
  • Presentation Date & Details: June 7, 1945

    Philippine Islands - Presented by Gen. Douglas MacArthur & Fort Snelling, Minnesota presented to his Mother

  • Born: March 12, 1915, New Ulm, Brown County, MN, United States
  • Died: January 9, 1945, POW ship sunk by A.A.C. Attack., At Sea
  • Buried: National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl) (MH) (marker only) (MA-39), Honolulu, HI, United States
  • Location of Medal: Brown County Historical Society Museum, New Ulm, MN
 

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