On August 3, 1944, during the battle to retake Guam in the Pacific Theater of World War II, Private First Class Frank Witek of the 1st Battalion, 9th Marines, 3rd Marine Division, faced a deadly ambush that could have annihilated his entire platoon. As enemy fire erupted from well-concealed Japanese positions, Witek stood his ground, fully exposed, and emptied an entire magazine at point-blank range into a concealed enemy position, killing eight and giving his fellow Marines time to reach cover.

While the rest of his unit pulled back to regroup, Witek stayed behind to protect a severely wounded Marine. Alone and under fire, he held off the enemy until stretcher bearers arrived and then covered their evacuation, firing steadily as he withdrew. His bravery didn’t end there. When his platoon was halted again by a Japanese machine gun, Witek advanced alone, coordinating with tanks and infantry as he pressed the assault. Switching between rifle fire and hand grenades, he charged to within mere yards of the enemy position. He destroyed the machine gun nest and eliminated eight more Japanese soldiers before he was fatally shot.

Frank Witek's one-man assault broke the enemy’s hold on the position and allowed his platoon to achieve its objective. His fearless actions and selfless devotion to his fellow Marines earned him the Medal of Honor, and a permanent place among America's military heroes.

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