Jul 21, 2014 1 min read

Pasquale (Pat) Papalia of North Strabane Township will be inducted into the Wall of Valor at 1 p.m. Saturday at VFW Memorial Park Post 764, 460 Valleybrook Road, McMurray.

Papalia is being honored for his gallantry in action during military operations in Vietnam and his award of the Silver Star. Papalia, a private first class, distinguished himself while serving as a rifleman with Company C, 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry, 196th LT Infantry BDE on Feb. 28, 1967.

While on a search-and-destroy mission, Papalia’s platoon came under heavy enemy fire. During the ensuing firefight, Papalia spotted an enemy claymore mine that had been set up in the underbrush. He exposed himself to the heavy enemy fire, raced to the mine and successfully disarmed it by severing the detonating wire.

After disarming the mine, Papalia spotted another claymore mine and once again raced to it, where he again severed the detonating wire. Through his actions, Papalia opened the way for the rest of his platoon to advance and rout the enemy from their positions.

Papalia served two tours in Vietnam and later in Iraq.

For more information on the Wall of Valor, visit www.vfw764.org.