Joseph Cicchetti earned the Medal of Honor posthumously during the liberation of the Philippines when he organized a squad of soldiers to rescue over 14 Americans trapped beneath Japanese guns.

American troops had become bogged down in Manila in the face of fanatical Japanese resistance. Cicchetti volunteered as a litter bearer, and, for over four hours, worked back and forth in a fire swept area to evacuate other soldiers.

He exposed himself to Japanese fire to distract the enemy and let other litter bearers make their way through a choke point. He was mortally wounded by a shell fragment in the head, but managed to carry one last soldier on his shoulders before he collapsed and died.

Born in Sandy Valley, Waynesburg, Ohio, Cicchetti was buried in his hometown. Please honor and remember this great American leader!