In their own words:
Medal of Honor recipient 2nd Lt. Robert M. Viale
Video by Sgt. 1st Class Josh Mann, Ohio Army National Guard historian
On Feb. 5, 1945, 2nd Lt. Robert Viale of Company K, 148th Infantry, 37th Infantry Division was killed during the Battle of Manila while protecting his Soldiers from a grenade blast. Charles Henne and Harold Vogel, both World War II veterans of the 148th Infantry Regiment, describe the events that day. Vogel was a member of Company K and was in the room with Viale when he died.
This week in Ohio National Guard history, Feb. 5-9, 1945:
As the 148th Infantry pushed through the Japanese held city of Manila, Philippines, four 148th Soldiers performed such heroic deeds that they would later be awarded the Medal of Honor. Second Lt. Robert Viale of Company K saved his men by shielding them from an exploding grenade on Feb. 5. Pvt. Joseph Cicchetti of Company A was killed while rescuing wounded Soldiers on Feb. 9. On that same day, Tech. Sgt. Cleto Rodriguez and Pfc. John Reese Jr. of Company B worked together to destroy an enemy pillbox with their Browning Automatic Rifles at the Paco Railroad Station. All of the medals, with the exception of Rodriguez, were awarded posthumously. (Ohio Army National Guard Historical Collections)
