Waynesburg in Stark County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Sandy Valley Cemetery

Burial Site of Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient PFC Joseph Cicchetti, U.S. Army, World War II

Photographed By Don Morfe, October 12, 2002

1. Sandy Valley Cemetery Marker

Inscription. A soldier in Company A, 148th Infantry, 37th “Buckeye” Infantry Division. Cicchetti was part of the assault on the first important line of Japanese defense at South Manila, Luzon, Philippines on February 9, 1945. He died of wounds received while leading a volunteer litter bearer team that rescued fourteen wounded men, deliberately drawing machine gun fire to himself in the process. ‘By his skilled leadership , the indomitable will, and dauntless courage, Pfc. Cicchetti saved the lives of many of his fellow soldiers at the cost of his own.” President Truman posthumously awarded Cicchetti the Congressional Medal of Honor on December 8, 1945.

Erected by Ohio Society of Military History, Inc, Greater Stark County Veterans Memorial Fund, The Ohio Historical Society. 5-76. (Marker Number 5-76.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • War, World II. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #33 Harry S. Truman, the Medal of Honor Recipients, and the Ohio Historical Society / The Ohio History Connection series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is February 1887.

Location. 40° 39.918′ N, 81° 16.11′ W. Marker is in Waynesburg,

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Ohio, in Stark County. Marker is on West Lisbon Street (Ohio Route 183). Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Waynesburg OH 44688, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Waynesburg World War II Memorial (about 800 feet away, measured in a direct line); Waynesburg Korean Memorial (about 800 feet away); Magnolia Cemetery (approx. 1.7 miles away); Richard Elson Homestead (approx. 1.8 miles away); Morges (approx. 2½ miles away); The Great Trail / The Ohio Country in the Revolution (approx. 4.6 miles away); Malvern Veteran's Memorial (approx. 4.6 miles away); Malvern Vietnam War Memorial (approx. 4.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Waynesburg.

Photographed By Don Morfe, October 12, 2002

2. Sandy Valley Cemetery Marker

Joseph Cicchetti is buried in Sandy Valley Cemetery. The GPS Coordinates for his grave are N40.6639 W81.2700. MEDAL OF HONOR CITATION-*CICCHETTI, JOSEPH J. (KILLED IN ACTION) Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, Company A, 148th Infantry, 37th Infantry Division. Place and date: South Manila, Luzon, Philippine Islands, 9 February 1945. Entered service at: Waynesburg, Ohio. Birth: Waynesburg, Ohio. G.O. No.: 115, 8 December 1945. Citation: He was with troops assaulting the first important line of enemy defenses. The Japanese had converted the partially destroyed Manila Gas Works and adjacent buildings into a formidable system of mutually supporting strongpoints from which they were concentrating machinegun, mortar, and heavy artillery fire on the American forces. Casualties rapidly mounted, and the medical aid men, finding it increasingly difficult to evacuate the wounded, called for volunteer litter bearers. Pfc. Cicchetti immediately responded, organized a litter team and skillfully led it for more than 4 hours in rescuing 14 wounded men, constantly passing back and forth over a 400-yard route which was the impact area for a tremendous volume of the most intense enemy fire. On 1 return trip the path was blocked by machinegun fire, but Pfc. Cicchetti deliberately exposed himself to draw the automatic fire which he neutralized with his own rifle while ordering the rest of the team to rush past to safety with the wounded. While gallantly continuing his work, he noticed a group of wounded and helpless soldiers some distance away and ran to their rescue although the enemy fire had increased to new fury. As he approached the casualties, he was struck in the head by a shell fragment, but with complete disregard for his gaping wound he continued to his comrades, lifted 1 and carried him on his shoulders 50 yards to safety. He then collapsed and died. By his skilled leadership, indomitable will, and dauntless courage, Pfc. Cicchetti saved the lives of many of his fellow soldiers at the cost of his own.

Photographed By Don Morfe, October 12, 2002

3. Sandy Valley Cemetery Marker

Government marker without the Medal of Honor award on the marker.

Photographed By Mike Wintermantel, November 16, 2014

4. Sandy Valley Cemetery Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on January 19, 2013, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 614 times since then and 55 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 19, 2013, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. 4. submitted on February 9, 2015, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.