Henry Mucci facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Henry Mucci
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Colonel Henry Mucci
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| Birth name | Henry Andrews Mucci |
| Born | March 4, 1909 Bridgeport, Connecticut |
| Died | April 20, 1997 (aged 88) Melbourne, Florida |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Service/ |
 United States Army |
| Years of service | 1936–1946 |
| Rank |  Colonel |
| Commands held | 6th Ranger Battalion |
| Battles/wars | World War II
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| Awards | Distinguished Service Cross Silver Star Legion of Merit Soldier's Medal Bronze Star (2) Purple Heart Army Commendation Medal Presidential Unit Citation |
Henry Andrews Mucci (born March 4, 1909 – died April 20, 1997) was a brave colonel in the United States Army Rangers. He is famous for leading an amazing rescue mission during World War II in January 1945.
Colonel Mucci led 121 Army Rangers on a daring mission. They rescued 513 survivors of the Bataan Death March from the Cabanatuan Prison Camp. This was a very difficult task, as they were greatly outnumbered by the enemy. Many people consider this the most successful rescue mission in U.S. military history.
Early Life
Henry Mucci was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut. His parents had moved to the United States from Sicily, Italy. Today, a part of the United States Embassy in Rome, Italy, is named in his honor.
Henry was one of ten children in his family. Two of his brothers also served in the Army and Navy during World War II. His sisters helped the war effort too. They worked for the Veterans of Foreign Wars and made bazookas in factories.
He attended the United States Military Academy at West Point in West Point, New York. He graduated in May 1936. While at West Point, he played lacrosse. He also joined the equestrian team because he grew up around horses.
Military Service
World War II
In February 1943, the U.S. Sixth Army gave Colonel Mucci a new job. He was put in charge of the 98th Field Artillery Battalion. This unit used mules to carry its equipment.
Mucci announced that the battalion would become a Ranger unit. He made the battalion smaller, from 1,000 men to 500. He then held a tough training camp in New Guinea for over a year. He taught his soldiers special commando-style techniques. This is how Mucci created a new, highly trained Army Ranger battalion.
Colonel Mucci was present during the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Later, during the fight to free the Philippines, General Walter Krueger chose Mucci for a very important mission. He was picked to lead the rescue of prisoners from the Cabanatuan Prison Camp. This mission was very difficult and needed a special leader.
In January 1945, Mucci led 120 Army Rangers to free the Cabanatuan Prison Camp. They rescued many prisoners. Only two of Mucci's men were killed during the raid. About 250 Filipino guerrillas helped the Rangers. Many of these guerrillas were not armed. They guided the Rangers through enemy territory. They also fought off Japanese soldiers while the American Rangers freed the prisoners of war.
For his brave actions in the raid, Mucci received the Distinguished Service Cross. This high honor was given to him by General of the Army Douglas MacArthur himself.
After the War
After World War II, Colonel Mucci returned home. He was seen as a national hero in his hometown of Bridgeport, Connecticut.
In 1947, he married Marion Fountain. They had three children together.
He tried to run for Congress in 1946 but did not win. He later became the president of a car dealership called Bridgeport Lincoln Mercury. He also worked as an oil representative in India.
In November 1974, a part of Connecticut Route 25 was named in his honor. It is now called the Col. Henry A. Mucci Highway. This highway runs between Bridgeport and Newtown.
Colonel Mucci passed away at age 88 in Melbourne, Florida, on April 20, 1997. He died from complications of a stroke. This stroke happened after he fractured his hip at age 86 while swimming.
The famous raid on Cabanatuan was shown in the 2005 movie The Great Raid. In the film, actor Benjamin Bratt played Colonel Mucci.
Images for kids
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The Distinguished Service Cross medal.
See also
In Spanish: Henry Mucci para niños
