Michael Colalillo (December 2, 1925 – December 30, 2011) was a United States Army soldier and a recipient of the United States military's highest decorationthe Medal of Honorfor his actions during World War II.

Early life Colalillo was born on December 1, 1925, in Hibbing, Minnesota to Italian parents who had immigrated to the U.S. shortly before his birth. He was the eighth of nine children. His family struggled financially throughout the years, mainly due to the Great Depression. He grew up in a tough neighborhood in western Duluth, Minnesota.

Colalillo attended Denfeld High School but dropped out before graduating in order to help support his family by working at a local bakery after the death of his mother.

Military service Colalillo joined the Army from Duluth, Minnesota in February 1944, and was serving as a private first class in Company C, 398th Infantry Regiment, 100th Infantry Division, that was deployed in the Western Allied invasion of Germany.

On April 7, 1945, his unit fought Waffen-SS forces in the Battle of Buchhof and Stein am Kocher near Untergriesheim, Germany. Colalillo encouraged his comrades to follow him into enemy fire, manned an exposed machine gun, and helped a wounded soldier back to friendly lines. For his actions during the battle, he was awarded the Medal of Honor on January 9, 1946.

Post-military service After his discharge from the Army, Colalillo moved back to Duluth, Minnesota, where he married Lina Nissila on November 16, 1945. The couple had two daughters and a son.

In 1946, Colalillo was employed by the Interlake Iron Company as a coal dump laborer. In 1950, he suffered a serious injury when his hand was caught on a conveyor belt which caused permanent damage, making his hand nearly useless. After his injury, Colalillo worked as a longshoreman, and in 1987, he retired from the Duluth Port Authority.

Death Colalillo died on December 30, 2011, at the Ecumen Bayshore Care Center. He is buried at Forest Hill Cemetery in Duluth, Minnesota. He was Minnesota's last living Medal of Honor recipient.

Medal of Honor

Awards and decorations SGT Colalillo was awarded throughout his military career the following:

BadgeCombat Infantryman Badge1st rowMedal of HonorSilver Star2nd rowBronze Star Purple HeartArmy Good Conduct Medal3rd rowAmerican Campaign MedalEuropean–African–Middle Eastern Campaign Medal World War II Victory Medal

Gallery

See also

List of Medal of Honor recipients for World War II

References

External links

Home of Heroes profile