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Histories of The Individuals Who Served

Frank J. Gutoski

Veteran of World War II - U. S. Army

November 26, 1919 - July 30, 1990
burial: Pinelawn Cemetery, Manitowish Waters, Vilas County, Wisconsin

Example of the
Soldier's Medal from 1944
front and back

Purple Heart
with Oak Leaf Cluster

Distinguished Unit Citation Badge - WWII

The unit must display such gallantry, determination, and esprit de corps in accomplishing its mission under extremely difficult and hazardous conditions as to set it apart and above other units participating in the same campaign.

Wisconsin State Journal
June 20, 1943

Four State Men
Wounded In Action

From Wisconsin was Corp Frank J Gutoski - mother Mrs Mary Gutoski Oconto.

(1940's news article researched and contributed by: Dean Schaal from his mother's wartime scrapbook)

News Article
1944
Sgt. F. Gutoski's
Unit Is Decorated

Special in Press-Gazette

OCONTO FALLS, Wis. - The Seventh Medical Battalion of which Sgt. Frank Gutoski, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Gutoski, Oconto Falls, is a member, has been awarded the Distinguished Unit badge for its brave work on Attu and in the Marxhall island. Sgt, Gutoski had been wounded twice, on Attu and again on Kwajalien. His parents have received a copy of the citation
The Gutoski's other son, Clarence, graduated recently from the Souix Falls Technical school after completing a 20-weeks course in radio.

News Article
1944

Soldier's Medal Awarded to Falls Fighter in Pacific

Special in Press-Gazette

OCONTO FALLS, Wis. - The Soldier's medal has been awarded to Sgt. Frank J. Gutoski, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Gutoski, Oconto Falls, for his heroism in rescuing a fellow soldier form drowning in the Pacific.
    Gutoski, swimming off the island of Oahu, Hawaii, saw a man being carried out to sea by a strong undertow, in spite of his frantic efforts to swim ashore. With complete disregard for his own safety, Gutoski secured the end of a roll of wire and swam swiftly through 150 yards of treacherous water to reach the drowning man, who was the pulled ashore safely.
    The Army citation that accompanied the medal states Gutoski's "courageous act reflects great credit upon himself and the military service." However, medals are not new to the sergeant for he has been awarded the Purple heart for wounds received in the Attu campaign, and the Oak Leaf cluster for the attack on Kwajalein. The Seventh medical battalion of which Gutoski is a member has been awarded the Distinguished unit badge for its work on Attu and again on Kwajalein. The medals were all sent to his parents.
    At present Sgt. Gutoski is a section leader of a medical collecting company in the Central Pacific are, where he has been stationed since late in 1943. Before he entered the service in February 1942, he was employed at the Falls Paper and Power company in Oconto Falls.

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