World War II Honoree

Ferdinand P. 'Fred' Civetti

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Newton, Massachusetts

Honored By

Michael O'Neil

Relationship

Neighbor

SERVED IN COMBAT WITHIN THE EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS IN THE 2ND SECTION FIRING BATTERY, 'C' BATTERY, 345TH FIELD ARTILLERY BATTALION (155MM HOWITZER, TRACTOR DRAWN), 90TH 'TOUGH 'OMBRES' INFANTRY DIVISION WITH GENERAL PATTON'S THIRD U.S. ARMY. AWARDED THE BRONZE STAR MEDAL WITH VALOR 'V' DEVICE FOR HEROIC ACHIEVEMENT IN COMBAT DURING THE SINGLE-HANDED FIREFIGHT AND CAPTURE OF 8 ENEMY SOLDIERS. THEIR INTERROGATION SUBSEQUENTLY LED TO THE CAPTURE OF AN ADDITIONAL 185 ELITE GERMAN WAFFEN SS TROOPS. UPON GERMANY'S SURRENDER, HE SERVED WITH THE OCCUPATION FORCES SUPERVISING OPERATIONS OF THE 802ND ORDNANCE LIGHT MAINTENANCE COMPANY AND THE SERVICE TROOP, 14TH CONSTABULARY REGIMENT WHERE HE WAS AWARDED THE ARMY COMMENDATION MEDAL. ADDITIONALLY, HE WAS THE RECIPIENT OF THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL AND AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH BATTLE STARS, WWII VICTORY AND ARMY OF OCCUPATION MEDAL. DISCHARGED IN 1946 AS A MASTER SERGEANT AT THE AGE OF 20, THE YOUNGEST SOLDIER TO ATTAIN THAT RANK IN WWII.