Michael V. Kravontka

Michael V. Kravontka, 92, of Greensburg, died Sunday, Jan. 1, 2012, in Excela Health Westmoreland Hospital, Greensburg. Born Sept. 5, 1919, in Greenwald, he was a son of the late John and Anna Novabilski Kravontka. He retired from the Army after 30 years of service, having attained the rank of major. He was a member of St. James Catholic Church of New Alexandria. He also belonged to the Knights of Columbus Greensburg Council and VFW Post 33 of Greensburg. Along with his parents, he was predeceased by 12 of his siblings. He is survived by his only sister, Elizabeth Yantos and husband, Andrew, of Greensburg; and several nieces and nephews. The following excerpt was taken from a local newspaper dated March 21, 1945: "Lt. Michael Kravontka returned from the hospital last week, ready to do it all over again. Holder of the DSC, the Co. C 104th Infantry platoon leader was hospitalized after shrapnel and concussion grenade wounds knocked him out. Before he was taken to the hospital, he took over an 88, captured two machine gun nests and pleaded with 23 men in a burning barn to leave him there and save themselves. The Coral, PA, officer was with the group of 104th Infantry doughboys who attacked a French town still held by the Germans. His first action was to take a deserted German 38 and while sniper fire whined off the pavement at his feet, aim it at some German tanks down the street. Then he dashed up a hill, caught the occupants of a German machine gun nest by surprise, and killed them all. Shrapnel from a German tank's cannon bounced off a wall and buried into him, knocking him out. A group of infantrymen found him and carried him to a barn in town. He tried to tell the 23 doughboys to leave him and escape while they could but they refused." Army Infantry Maj. Michael Kravontka received the following medals for combat in Western France in combat with the Germans: Distinguished Service Cross; Silver Star; Bronze Star; Purple Heart (received in combat, 1944, wounds of right chest area); The Croix de Guerre, presented by the French government; Korean Medal, for combat in Korea, 1951-1952; and United Nations Medal, they approved the Korean War. Mike also had four brothers who served in the Army and one brother served in the Marines. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Wednesday in St. James Catholic Church, New Alexandria, by Monsignor Lawrence T. Persico and Father Damian Warnock, OSB. Interment will be in St. Francis Cemetery, Graceton, Pa. P. DAVID NEWHOUSE FUNERAL HOME, corner of Church and Washington streets, New Alexandria, in charge of arrangements. www.newhousefuneralhome.com.

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