When his rifle platoon was halted by heavy surprise fire from well camouflaged enemy positions, Private First Class Witek daringly remained standing to fire a full magazine from his automatic point-blank range into a depression housing Japanese troops, killing eight of the enemy and enabling the greater part of his platoon to take cover. During his platoon's withdrawal for consolidation of lines, he remained to safeguard a severely wounded comrade, courageously returning the enemy's fire until the arrival of stretcher bearers and then covering the evacuation by sustained fire as he moved backward toward his own lines. With his platoon again pinned down by a hostile machine-gun, Private First Class Witek, on his own initiative, moved forward boldly ahead of the reinforcing tanks and infantry, alternately throwing hand grenades and firing as he advanced to within five to ten yards of the enemy position, destroying the hostile machine-gun emplacement and an additional eight Japanese before he, himself, was struck down by an enemy rifleman. His valiant and inspiring action effectively reduced the enemy's firepower, thereby enabling his platoon to attain its objective, and reflects the highest credit upon Private First Class Witek and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country. /S/ FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT Honors In 1946, a Gearing-class greyhound destroyer, the was named in honor of PFC Witek. The destroyer was launched on February 2, 1946, and was christened by Witek's mother, Mrs. Nora Witek. The USS Witek was commissioned on April 25, 1946. It was formally decommissioned on August 19, 1968. In 1999, Witek's hometown, Derby, Connecticut has named the PFC Frank P. Witek Memorial Park in his honor. The Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation awards a memorial scholarship in honor of PFC Frank Witek. The area near the village of Yona on Guam, was named Marine Camp Witek. Although the camp closed decades ago, Guam natives still refer to the area as "Camp Witek". See also List of Medal of Honor recipients Notes References External links 1921 births 1944 deaths United States Marine Corps personnel killed in World War II United States Marine Corps Medal of Honor recipients People from Derby, Connecticut People from Chicago American people of Polish descent United States Marines World War II recipients of the Medal of Honor Military personnel from Connecticut Burials in Illinois