Willibald C. Bianchi

Willibald C. Bianchi
Born	(1915-03-12)March 12, 1915 New Ulm, Minnesota
Died	January 9, 1945(1945-01-09) (aged 29) Bagac, Bataan, Philippines
Place of burial	Lost at sea; died on Japanese prison ship
Allegiance	United States of America
Service / branch	United States Army
Years of service	1940–1945
Rank	Captain
Unit	45th Infantry Regiment, Philippine Scouts
Battles / wars	World War II Philippines campaign Battle of Bataan Bataan Death March
Awards	Medal of Honor Bronze Star Purple Heart with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters

Willibald Charles Bianchi (March 12, 1915 – January 9, 1945) was an officer in the Philippine Scouts who received the Medal of Honor for actions in Bataan, Philippines during that country's capitulation to Japanese forces during World War II. After the action near Bagac in the Bataan Province, Bianchi was among the troops captured by the Japanese at the fall of Bataan, on April 9, 1942. He was part of the Bataan "Death March," and was imprisoned in several Japanese prisoner of war camps, enduring horrible conditions. He was known for his compassion and efforts to better the lot of his fellow prisoners by bartering with their captors for extra food and medicine. On January 9, 1945, while imprisoned in an unmarked Japanese prison ship, Bianchi was killed instantly when an American plane, unaware that the ship contained American prisoners, dropped a 1,000-pound bomb in the cargo hold. Bianchi is one of three members of the Philippine Scouts who were awarded the Medal of Honor.

Early life and education

Bianchi graduated from South Dakota State University in 1939, and received an ROTC commission in 1940.

Medal of Honor citation

Bianchi, Willibald C.

Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, U.S. Army, 45th Infantry, Philippine Scouts

Place and date: Near Bagac, Bataan Province, Philippine Islands, February 3, 1942

Entered service at: New Ulm, Minnesota

Born: New Ulm, Minnesota

Citation:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action with the enemy on 3 February 1942, near Bagac, Province of Bataan, Philippine Islands. When the rifle platoon of another company was ordered to wipe out 2 strong enemy machinegun nests, 1st Lt. Bianchi voluntarily and of his own initiative, advanced with the platoon leading part of the men. When wounded early in the action by 2 bullets through the left hand, he did not stop for first aid but discarded his rifle and began firing a pistol. He located a machinegun nest and personally silenced it with grenades. When wounded the second time by 2 machinegun bullets through the chest muscles, 1st Lt. Bianchi climbed to the top of an American tank, manned its antiaircraft machinegun, and fired into strongly held enemy position until knocked completely off the tank by a third severe wound.

Honors

Bianchi attended South Dakota State University and a monument was erected honoring him and fellow alumnus and Medal of Honor recipient Leo K. Thorsness.

See also

• List of Medal of Honor recipients for World War II
• List of Italian American Medal of Honor recipients

External links

• "Philippine Scouts Heritage Society". Archived from the original on March 10, 2007. Retrieved October 5, 2010.
• "South Dakota State University Medal of Honor Monument". Retrieved October 5, 2010.
• Cenotaph memorial for Bianchi at Manila National Cemetery
• Willibald C. Bianchi at Find a Grave