Witek, Frank P.
Private First Class Frank P. Witek, USMCR, (1921-1944)
Frank Peter Witek was born on 10 December 1921 in Derby, Connecticut. His family relocated to Chicago, Illinois during his youth. After enlisting in the U.S. Marine Corps from that same state for World War II service, he began recruit training in January 1942. Witek subsequently had duty in the Pacific, participated in the Bougainville Campaign and received promotion to Private First Class.
In the Summer of 1944, Witek served with a rifle platoon of the First Battalion, Ninth Marines, Third Marine Division during the invasion of Guam, Marianas Islands. On 3 August, when his unit was taken under fire, Witek covered the other Marines' withdrawal and remained with a fallen comrade until he could be evacuated. Pinned down again, Witek bravely advanced alone to destroy a Japanese machine gun position until he was slain by enemy fire. For his "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity" on this occasion, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. Frank P. Witek is buried at Rock Island National Cemetery, Rock Island, Illinois.
USS Witek (DD-848), 1946-1969, was named in honor of Private First Class Frank P. Witek.
This page features the only image we have concerning Frank P. Witek.
