Medal of Honor Citations
Capt. Regniald B. Desiderio
Starting today, Unto the Breach will post citations of actions that earned the Medal of Honor.
Today’s featured recipient is Captain Eugene B. Desiderio, the company commander of Echo Company, 27th Infantry Regiment. 59 years ago, Capt. Desiderio and his men repelled an enemy attack by charging with rifles and grenades, despite having been wounded twice before the charge. Desiderio was mortally wounded during the attack.
His citation can be found here, and citations for other Medal of Honor recipients can be found in the “Hall of Heroes” category located on the blog sidebar.
Desiderio’s replacement was Capt. Lewis Millett, whom also earned the Medal in a bayonet charge that following February.
In: Military History · Tagged with: "Wolfhounds", 27th Infantry Regiment, Col. Lewis L. "Red" Millett, Medal of Honor, Reginald B. Desiderio, Reginald Desiderio
Medal of Honor Awarded to Two E/27th Commanders within 3 Months
27th Infantry Regiment insignia "Fear No Difficulties"
Military History magazine conducted a great interview in 2002 with the late Medal of Honor recipient Col. Lewis Millett.
Among many other new things I learned about Col. Millett, I read that the commander whom Millett replaced, Capt. Reginald B. Desiderio, was also awarded the Medal of Honor (posthumously) for his actions. Only three months after Desiderio’s actions, Millett’s bayonet charge would earn him the medal as well.
Desiderio also fought in Southern France and Germany during World War II, earning a Silver Star, Purple Heart, and four Bronze Stars for courage.
In: Military History · Tagged with: "Wolfhounds", 27th Infantry Regiment, Bronze Star, Col. Lewis L. "Red" Millett, Korean War, Lewis Millett, Medal of Honor, Reginald B. Desiderio, Reginald Desiderio, Silver Star, US Army, World War II
