b. 18/12/1883 Buffalo, New York. d. 25/05/1948 Niagara Falls, New York.
DATE OF MOH ACTION: 29/09/1918 near Ronssoy, France.
Frank J Gaffney MOH
World War I Medal of Honor Recipient. Gaffney served as a Private First Class, United States Army, Company G, 108th Infantry, 27th Division. He was awarded his medal for service Near Ronssoy, France, on September 29, 1918. His citation reads-Pfc. Gaffney, an automatic rifleman, pushing forward alone, after all the other members of his squad had been killed, discovered several Germans placing a heavy machinegun in position. He killed the crew, captured the gun, bombed several dugouts, and, after killing 4 more of the enemy with his pistol, held the position until reinforcements came up, when 80 prisoners were captured.
General John J. Pershing said Gaffney’s deeds placed him among the top heroes of the war. Similarly, Maj. Gen. John F. O’Ryan, commanding officer of the 27th Division, paid Gaffney high honours. “No man has performed more daring exploits or exercised a bigger influence upon those around him by the gallantry of his conduct.” O’Ryan also reportedly called PFC Gaffney “the human hurricane.” Gaffney also received the Purple Heart, the British Distinguished Conduct Medal, the French Médaille militaire and Croix de Guerre, the Italian Croce di guerra al merito, the Montenegrin Medal for Military Bravery and the Portuguese Medalha da Cruz de Guerra, Third Class. Gaffney, who was known as “the second bravest man in the U. S. Army,” later lost his left arm in fighting at St. Souplet on October 15, 1918.
MOH CITATION:
Pfc. Gaffney, an automatic rifleman, pushing forward alone, after all the other members of his squad had been killed, discovered several Germans placing a heavy machinegun in position. He killed the crew, captured the gun, bombed several dugouts, and, after killing 4 more of the enemy with his pistol, held the position until reinforcements came up, when 80 prisoners were captured.
BURIAL LOCATION: UNITED GERMAN/FRENCH CEMETERY, CHEEKTOWAGA, NEW YORK.
SECTION CC, LOT 133, GRAVE 12
LOCATION OF MEDAL: FAMILY.
