Peter Frank Fegatelli

The database page for Peter Frank Fegatelli

15 April 2002 A memorial to our brother Missing you always Love Jeanne and Diane jdilibero@msn.com

15 Apr 2002 Remembered by a friend, Donald Viccaro 48 Wetmore Park, Rochester, New York, 14606 rangervic17@hotmail.com

27 May 1969 General Orders Number 1315 AWARD OF THE SILVER STAR 1. TC32. The following AWARD is announced posthumously. FEGATELLI, PETER F SPECIALIST FOUR United States Army COMPANY D (RANGER) 151st INFANTRY APO 96266 AWARD: SILVER STAR Date action: 10 May 1969 Theater: Republic of Vietnam Reason: Specialist Four Fegatelli distinguished himself by gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force on 10 May 1969 while serving with Company D (Ranger), 151st Infantry, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date while deployed in an ambush position, the long range patrol team of which Specialist Fegatelli was a member spotted several enemy soldiers approaching. When the hostile troops were within range, the friendly element initiated contact with them. Although taken by surprise, the enemy reacted by placing intense small arms and rocket-propelled grenade fire upon the team. Seeing that the enemy was beginning to gain fire superiority with extrememly effective fire, Specialist Fegatelli, disregarding his own safety, came to his knees in order to place more effective machine gun fire on the advancing enemy. His accurate fire and courage inspired his comrades to increase their volume of suppressive fire. While firing on the hostile force, he was mortally wounded. Specialist Four Fegatelli's outstanding courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army. Authority: By direction of the President under the provisions of the Act of Congress, approved 2 July 1926. For the Commander: B. E. Huffman, Jr. Brigadier General, GS Chief of Staff Official: Herman Miller, Jr. Colonel, AGC Adjutant General Citation text provided by Tim Ramey Indiana Rangers

DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY Company D (Ranger), 151st Infantry APO San Francisco 96265 26 MAY 1969 Mr. and Mrs. Ercole Fegatelli 39 Woonsaquatucket Avenue Providence, Rhode Island 02911 Dear Mr. and Mrs. Fegatelli, I am sure that you have been informed of the death of your son, SP4 Peter F. Fegatelli, in the vicinity of Long Khanh Province, Republic Of Vietnam, on 10 May 1969. I sincerely hope the following information will help explain the circumstances and help answer many of the questions that are in your mind at this time. On the morning of 10 May 1969, your son was serving as a patrol member of an eleven man reconnaissance team. The team had been inserted in the morning and had positioned themselves along a small trail in order to monitor enemy movement. The team mission was to gather information from the enemy by observation and if desired by use of an ambush. At approximately 1014 hours the team spotted three to five enemy personnel. When the enemy force was within range the team initiated contact on the enemy force. Even though the enemy was taken by surprise they were still able to place intensive fire on the reconnaissance team. At this time the team was returning fire until the enemy could be suppressed. During the ensuing fire fight Peter was mortally wounded. Desperate attempts were made to save his life by fellow team members but all failed. Thanks to Peter's tremendous volume of fire, the team was able to break contact and he was immediately evacuated to a nearby hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival. As a member of Company D (Ranger), 151st Infantry, Peter was an outstanding soldier and a sincere friend to all the members of the unit. He was always ready to offer a helping hand to anyone and expected nothing in return for his kindness. Peter will be missed by everyone here and on behalf of our unit I would like to offer you our condolences in this time of grief and morning. A memorial service in behalf of your son was conducted on the eleventh day of May 1969. Peter's personal property has been collected and will be sent to you. I know you will treasure his personal possessions and I hope they will reach you without delay. The sincere sympathy of this command is again extended to you in your bereavement. GEORGE M. HECKMAN MAJOR, Infantry Commanding Letter text provided by Tim Ramey Indiana Rangers

Peter Frank Fegatelli is remembered by his comrades-in-arms of the Indiana Rangers D CO, 151st Infantry

The point-of-contact for this memorial is his sisters, Jeanne and Diane jdilibero@msn.com  15 Apr 2002

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With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)
Last updated 10/24/2004