Born: August 26, 1923
Died: September 27, 1992
Campaigns Served: Namur (wounded)
Highest Rank Attained: Private First Class
Decorations: Navy Cross, Purple Heart
Frank Celentano, one of the original members of Charlie Company, turned twenty on the day of the formal activation of the 24th Marines. He served as a rifleman.
Celentano participated in only one battle with the Marines, but five Marines would remember his actions on Namur for the rest of their lives:
Citation:
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Frank W. Celentano (472472), Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving with Company C, First Battalion, Twenty-Fourth Marines, FOURTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces during the invasion of Namur Island, Kwajalein Atoll, 1 February 1944. Occupying a section of a Japanese fire trench with five other men when an enemy hand grenade was thrown into the trench, Private First Class Celentano unhesitatingly took the initiative and, heroically disregarding all personal danger, seized the weapon and threw it from the trench, saving the lives of his men but losing his own hand when the deadly missile exploded as he released it. Concerned only for the safety of his comrades in their precarious positions, he remained as he was, unattended throughout the night, making no outcry and refusing to yield to his pain least he endanger them. His steadfast courage, unyielding fortitude and valiant spirit of self-sacrifice reflect the highest credit upon Private First Class Celentano and the United States Naval Service.
Celentano received his Navy Cross in the hospital. He was discharged for his wound and returned to Queens, New York.
Frank Celentano died in 1992.