Belle Vernon World War II combat medic, now 96, to receive military honors

A 96 year-old Belle Vernon man will be honored next week for his service as a World War II combat medic in a campaign to liberate the Philippines.

Felix J. Lisovich, who was a decorated staff sergeant and combat medic, will receive the Order of Military Medical Merit’s Regimental Honor Certificate and a letter of recognition signed by Lt. Gen. Nadja Y. West, U.S. Army Surgeon General, in a ceremony at 11 a.m May 28, at the Belle Vernon American Legion.

Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Gragg of the U.S. Army Medical Command will be on hand to honor the military service of Lisovich, who continued to ply his medical skills as a volunteer emergency medical technician with the Washington Township Fayette City Community Ambulance Service from 1979-97.

Lisovich, who deployed on July 10, 1943, was a surgical technician in the Pacific Theater with Medical Detachment 2nd Battalion, 172th Infantry Regiment, 43rd Infantry Division. He earned the Combat Medic Badge, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and several other campaign medals and citations.

Lisovich repeatedly risked his own life to save others while under fire in the campaign to liberate the Philippines, officials said. He was discharged from the Army in January 1946.