Port Clinton in Ottawa County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Petrarca Range
Photographed By Craig Doda, April 16, 2022
1. Petrarca Range Memorial
Inscription.
Petrarca Range. .
In memory of PFC. Frank J. Petrarca Med. Co. 145th Inf. Killed in action July 31, 1943 - New Georgia Awarded Congressional Medal of Honor 37th Division Veterans Association. Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, Medical Detachment, 145th Infantry, 37th Infantry Division. Place and date: At Horseshoe Hill, New Georgia, Solomon Islands, 27 July 1943. Entered service at: Cleveland, Ohio. Birth: Cleveland, Ohio. G.O. No.: 86, 23 December 1943. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action above and beyond the call of duty. Pfc. Petrarca advanced with the leading troop element to within 100 yards of the enemy fortifications where mortar and small-arms fire caused a number of casualties. Singling out the most seriously wounded, he worked his way to the aid of Pfc. Scott, lying within 75 yards of the enemy, whose wounds were so serious that he could not even be moved out of the direct line of fire. Pfc. Petrarca fearlessly administered first aid to Pfc. Scott and 2 other soldiers and shielded the former until his death. On 29 July 1943, Pfc. Petrarca, during an intense mortar barrage, went to the aid of his sergeant who had been partly buried in a foxhole under the debris of a shell explosion, dug him out, restored him to consciousness, and caused his evacuation. On 31 July 1943, and against the warning of a fellow soldier, he went to the aid of a mortar fragment casualty where his path over the crest of a hill exposed him to enemy observation from only 20 yards distance. A target for intense knee mortar and automatic fire, he resolutely worked his way to within 2 yards of his objective where he was mortally wounded by hostile mortar fire. Even on the threshold of death he continued to display valor and contempt for the foe, raising himself to his knees, this intrepid soldier shouted defiance at the enemy, made a last attempt to reach his wounded comrade, and fell in glorious death.
In memory of PFC. Frank J. Petrarca
Med. Co. 145th Inf.
Killed in action July 31, 1943 - New Georgia
Awarded Congressional Medal of Honor
37th Division Veterans Association
Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, Medical Detachment, 145th Infantry, 37th Infantry Division. Place and date: At Horseshoe Hill, New Georgia, Solomon Islands, 27 July 1943. Entered service at: Cleveland, Ohio. Birth: Cleveland, Ohio. G.O. No.: 86, 23 December 1943. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action above and beyond the call of duty. Pfc. Petrarca advanced with
the leading troop element to within 100 yards of the enemy fortifications where mortar and small-arms fire caused a number of casualties. Singling out the most seriously wounded, he worked his way to the aid of Pfc. Scott, lying within 75 yards of the enemy, whose wounds were so serious that he could not even be moved out of the direct line of fire. Pfc. Petrarca fearlessly administered first aid to Pfc. Scott and 2 other soldiers and shielded the former until his death. On 29 July 1943, Pfc. Petrarca, during an intense mortar barrage, went to the aid of his sergeant who had been partly buried in a foxhole under the debris of a shell explosion, dug him out, restored him to consciousness, and caused his
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evacuation. On 31 July 1943, and against the warning of a fellow soldier, he went to the aid of a mortar fragment casualty where his path over the crest of a hill exposed him to enemy observation from only 20 yards distance. A target for intense knee mortar and automatic fire, he resolutely worked his way to within 2 yards of his objective where he was mortally wounded by hostile mortar fire. Even on the threshold of death he continued to display valor and contempt for the foe, raising himself to his knees, this intrepid soldier shouted defiance at the enemy, made a last attempt to reach his wounded comrade, and fell in glorious death.
Topics and series. This memorial is listed in this topic list: War, World II. In addition, it is included in the Medal of Honor Recipients series list. A significant historical date for this entry is July 11, 1943.
Location. 41° 32.703′ N, 83° 1.096′ W. Marker is in Port Clinton, Ohio, in Ottawa County. Memorial is on Lawrence Road, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Port Clinton OH 43452, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Reese Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Buckeye Tree Planted 1909 (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Buckeye Tree Planted 1909 (about 300 feet away); Camp Perry
Credits. This page was last revised on March 3, 2024. It was originally submitted on April 27, 2022, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 86 times since then and 17 times this year. Last updated on February 18, 2024, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on April 27, 2022, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
