Rep. Reschenthaler Honors WWII Combat Medic
WASHINGTON, PA – Today, Congressman Guy Reschenthaler (PA-14) joined with Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Gragg, U.S. Army Medical Command, to honor the selfless sacrifice and service of Staff Sgt. Felix J. Lisovich, a 97-year-old World War II combat medic who lives in Rostraver Township, Pennsylvania.
"As a veteran myself, it's an honor to recognize a WWII veteran from our community today," said Reschenthaler. "Staff Sgt. Lisovich has a distinguished career of going above and beyond the call of duty, enlisting right out of high school and serving in the Pacific Theater during WWII. He's a true hero and an inspiration to those currently serving in our nation's armed forces. I thank Lisovich for his service."
Congressman Reschenthaler and CSM Gragg, on behalf of Lt. Gen. Nadja Y. West, U.S. Army Surgeon General and Commanding General, U.S. Army Medical Command, presented Lisovich with a Regimental Honor Certificate, the Order of Military Medical Merit (O2M3), and a letter of recognition signed by the 44th Army Surgeon General.
In 1943, three weeks after graduating from Charleroi High School, Mr. Lisovich enlisted as a Surgical Technician in the United States Army. After completing his training, Mr. Lisovich deployed to the Pacific Theater from March 1994 to January 1946, where he participated in amphibious operations to liberate the Philippines and encountered kamikaze attacks from Japanese fighter planes.
In 1945, Mr. Lisovich fought in the Battle of Luzon with the 172nd Infantry Regiment, 43rd Infantry Division. During combat operations to capture a hill overlooking the Rosario-Damortis Highway and establish a roadblock to stop an enemy retreat route, Lisovich, a medical team consisting of a doctor, an additional surgical technician, and two medical technicians, and two infantryman encountered a wounded American soldier. The medics provided aid as best they could, with Lisovich stopped the bleeding of the wounded infantryman. He and his team then started emergency surgery while under sniper fire from the Japanese positions in the jungle. During the surgery, his group engaged the enemy in a protracted firefight. After an hour, the medical team moved the wounded soldier to safety taking turns carrying him three miles on a litter up a steep tortuous trail to safety. While aiding his fellow soldier, Mr. Lisovich was wounded by grenade shrapnel.
For his service and his actions in World War II, Mr. Lisovich was awarded the Combat Medical Badge, Bronze Star, Good Conduct Medal, Purple Heart Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal with two bronze stars and one arrow, Army of Occupation Medal, and the Philippine Liberation Medal with one bronze star.
In 1946, Felix Lisovich completed his service in the Army reaching the rank of Staff Sergeant and returned to Pennsylvania. Upon returning home, he continued to use the medical skills he learned in the Army by volunteering with the Washington Township Fayette City Community Ambulance Service from 1979-1997 as an emergency medical technician.
###