Belleville Veteran Who Threw Himself On Grenade To Be Honored

BELLEVILLE, NJ — A Medal of Honor recipient from Belleville who threw himself on a grenade to save his comrades during the Korean War will have a local post office dedicated in his memory.

On Monday, May 20, a public ceremony will be held in honor of Medal of Honor recipient and Belleville native and Army Pfc. Henry Svehla. The event will take place at 10:30 a.m. at the U.S. Post Office at 413 Washington Avenue.

Svehla was posthumously awarded the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor, in 2011 for his actions in the Korean War in 1952. He is also a recipient of the Distinguished Service Cross.

According to Svehla’s Medal of Honor citation, here’s what happened on the day he lost his life in combat:

“Private First Class Svehla, utterly disregarding his own safety, destroyed enemy positions and inflicted heavy casualties, when suddenly, fragments from a mortar round exploding nearby seriously wounded him in the face. Despite his wounds, Svehla refused medical treatment and continued to lead the attack. When an enemy grenade landed among a group of his comrades, Svehla, without hesitation and undoubtedly aware of extreme danger, threw himself upon the grenade. During this action, Svehla was mortally wounded. Svehla's extraordinary heroism and selflessness at the cost of his own life, above and beyond the call of duty, are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.”

According to a news release from the U.S. Postal Service, people who plan to honor Svehla’s memory at the May 20 plaque unveiling ceremony include his nephew, Anthony Svehla, U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez, U.S. Reps. Bill Pascrell and Albio Sires, Belleville Mayor Michael Melham, U.S. Postal Service Northern New Jersey District Manager Michael Deignan, U.S. Army Captain Adrienne Smith, the American Legion Post 150 Honor Guard, and the Belleville High School Choir.

Don’t forget to visit the Patch Belleville-Nutley Facebook page here. Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site here. Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com