Krotiak, Anthony L, born 15-08-1915, in Chicago, Illinois, US 
the son of Anthony “Anton” Krotiak, who died 17-03-1963 (age 77–78) and his wife Carolina, born Svidron, Krotiak, who died 14-11-1982 (age 94). 
.Anthony had 5 sisters and two brothers, Mary Josephine Krotiak Granthner (1907–1992), Susan L Krotiak Michuda (1908–1999), Anne M Krotiak O”Conner (1911–1983), Catherine Krotiak (1913–1996), Anton L Krotiak (1915–1945) , John Ktotiak (1915–1986), Irene Krotiak Lubovich (1920–2005), Rudolph James Krotiak (1923–2006), Lillian Krotiak Lachman (1924–1995) and Leo Krotiak (1927–1982). Anthony joined the Army from his birth city of Chicago, Illinois, in November 1941, and by 08 -03-1945, was serving as a private first class in Company I, 148th Infantry Regiment, 37th Infantry Division.
under command of Major Geneneral Robert Spague Beightler 
On that day, in the Balete Pass, Luzon, the Philippines, he smothered the blast of a Japanese-thrown grenade with his body, sacrificing himself to protect those around him. For these actions, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor the next year, on 13-02-1946.
Anthony was an acting squad leader, directing his men in consolidating a newly won position on Hill B when the enemy concentrated small arms fire and grenades upon him and 4 others, driving them to cover in an abandoned Japanese trench. A grenade thrown from above landed in the center of the group. Instantly pushing his comrades aside and jamming the grenade into the earth with his rifle butt, he threw himself over it, making a shield of his body to protect the other men. The grenade exploded under him, and he died a few minutes later. By his extraordinary heroism in deliberately giving his life to save those of his comrades, Private Krotiak set an inspiring example of utter devotion and self-sacrifice which reflects the highest traditions of the military service.
Major General Robert Beightler was one of only eleven Generals who commanded their divisions for the entire war, and was the only National Guard general to do so. 
The casualities of the 37th Division, Total battle casualities 5960, killed in action 1094, wounded in action 4.861, missing in action 4, prisoner of war 1 and days in combat 592.
In Holland during Operation Market Garden another American soldier did the same to protect his comrades and received the Medal of Honor,. Joe Eugen Mann 
a 101 Airbone Divison 
para from Spokane. The casualties of the 101st Airborne Division during their campaign in Europe; In Normandy, killed/died of wounds 868, wounded in action 2.303, missing/captured 665. In Holland killed 752, wounded 2.151 and missing 398. In the battle of the Bulge in Belgium, killed 482, wounded 2.449 and missing 527, in total killed 2.043, wounded 2.782 and missed 1590.
Another soldier who standing on offer for his comrades was Fardy, John Peter
a corporal with the Company C, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division. 
On 06-05-1945 Company C was advancing against a strongly fortified, fanatically defended Japanese position when Corporal Fardy’s squad was suddenly brought under intense small arms fire. Fardy deployed his men in a drainage ditch which offered cover from the bullets. Shortly afterwards, an enemy grenade landed in the ditch among the pinned down Marines. Corporal Fardy instantly threw himself upon the grenade and absorbed the explosion with his body.
Death and burial ground of Krotiak, Anthony L.
Anthony Krotiak, aged 29 at his death, was buried in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Alsip, Illinois. Plot: 23. Row: 14. Grave: 8.
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