Remembering a hero: Peter J. Rota of Hays | The Homepage

Technician Fifth Grade Peter J. Rota, Company E, 168th Infantry Regiment, U.S. Army. Photo courtesy of Sue Schaming

By Sue Schaming

Technician Fifth Grade Peter J. Rota was from Hays. He was born Jan. 24, 1918, and died Feb. 17, 1999. He was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action because of his bravery on July 17, 1944, in the vicinity of Fauglia, Italy, as a member of U.S. Army Company E, 168th Infantry Regiment.

That day, Company E headquarters and an attached heavy weapons platoon came under attack from enemy tank-mounted weapons. The assault continued unabated throughout the afternoon. Mr. Rota, a truck driver, evacuated seven injured men despite severe enemy shelling on the only road available.

He then proceeded farther up the road under machine-gun fire coming from high ground only 75 yards from the road and started the evacuation of 22 more men who were wounded by the flying shrapnel.

Mr. Rota made five trips to complete the evacuation. This would have required several hours if it were done by litter bearers. His life was in peril with each trip.

The evacuation accomplished, Mr. Rota proceeded to bring up urgently needed ammunition for the heavy weapons platoon, once again braving intense fire concentrated on the road.

On his first trip carrying ammunition, a tire on his trailer was pierced by shrapnel. He calmly disconnected the trailer, loaded the truck with all the ammunition it could carry and completed the distribution, making three trips through the shelling.

The outstanding achievement of Mr. Rota undoubtedly saved many American lives as the wounded men received immediate medical attention. His work in delivering the ammunition was key to the eventual success of the operation.

Mr. Rota married Eleanor Rota, née Hyzy, and had three children, Mary Lou Bender, JoAnn Rota and Peter J. Rota Jr. He is buried in Calvary Cemetery.

Sue Schaming lives in Lincoln Place.