Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Sergeant

Unit:

Company B, 261st Medical Battalion (Amphibious), DIME Force, Seventh Army, U.S. Army

Awarded on:

September 21st, 1943

Awarded for:

Operation Husky

Citation:
"For exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services from 11 July 1943 to 7 August 1943. In coordinating the evacuation of casualties under enemy fire during the Sicilian Campaign, he showed great presence of mind in caring for the needs of the wounded and providing for their comfort. He later assumed full responsibility for the operation of the hospital laboratory, and his untiring energy under adverse conditions aided the medical officers in making important diagnoses which otherwise would have been impossible. By his initiative and ability to assume responsibility. Sergeant Petrovits was an inspiration to the officers and men of his regiment."

Headquarters North African Theaterof Operations, United States Army APO 534 (21 September 1943).

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Staff Sergeant

Unit:

Company B, 261st Medical Battalion, 1st Engineer Special Brigade, VII Corps, First Army, U.S. Army

Awarded for:

Operation Overlord

Citation:
"For meritorious service in connection with military operations, as Collections Platoon Leader, Company "B", 261st medical Battalion from 7 June, 1944 to 1 September 1944. Staff Sargeant Petrovits personally directed and coordinated the evacuation of more than 15,000 casualties by litter and ambulance jeeps to the beach, often under artillery fire and air attack. His constant devotion to duty and untiring efforts cheered and encouraged the exhausted men of his platoon to greater efforts. He was constantly available both day and night, after working eighteen to twenty four hours a day, for handling the evacuation of the wounded to LST's and hospital ships, frequently more than five hundred casualties being evacuated in one day. In addition to these duties he was always on call for laboratory work, vital to the treatment of the wounded,doing many blood counts, blood typing essential for transfusions and various other types of chemical analyses and microscopic studies. His work was of inestimable value in the treatment of these casualties by our surgeons and in the proper and rapid evacuation of the many casualties to rear echelon hospitals in England. The quality of his performance of duty reflects high credit upon himself and the armed forces of the United States."