Felix Ferranto
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Felix Ferranto

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Lt. Colonel Felix L. Ferranto: Born 5 December 1911 in Brooklyn, New York, Felix Ferranto enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on 16 August 1933 and completed Recruit Basic Training at Parris Island, South Carolina. Following a tour of duty on the island of Guam in 1935 Ferranto moved on to the American Legation Guard in Peiping China in 1936 and returned to the U.S. in 1938. It was during this tour of duty in China, where he acquired knowledge of the Chinese language. This was to play a vital part in his survival during his first critical months as a wounded Police Action Hostage. Ferranto left China with the rank of Corporal. In 1939 Sergeant Ferranto volunteered for, and accepted for duty with the U.S. Antarctic Service and served with the 1939/41 Antarctic Expedition under Admiral Byrd. Mount Ferranto, in the Ford Ranges of Marie Byrd Land, Antartica was named for Felix Ferranto. Awarded a Gold Medal for his services Ferranto returned to the States as a Technical Sergeant. As Master Sergeant Ferranto served with the First Marine Division of Guadalcanal and was promoted to Warrant Officer rank of Marine Gunner, and specially commended for performance in actual combat. While serving with the First Marine Division in Korea as a Radio Relay Platoon Commander, then First Lieutenant Ferranto was wounded and taken hostage by Chinese Communist forces on 28 November 1950. He was in prisoner war camps, and in solitary confinement from the fall of 1951 to June of 1953. He was finally released on 6 September 1953, the last day of the Prisoner Exchange. After returning to the States, Ferranto’s full duty status was interrupted by frequent and prolonged hospitalizations. Recovery from brain surgery in 1957 was slow and painful. On 25 September 1958, Major Ferranto was placed on the Temporary Disability Retired list and on 01 June 1963 was permanently retired as a Lieutenant Colonel.
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