Louis Cukela, born Vjekoslav Lujo Čukela, (Croatian: Vjekoslav Lujo Čukela, pronounced "luyo chukela"; May 1, 1888 – March 19, 1956) was a United States Marine numbered among the nineteen two-time recipients of the Medal of Honor. Cukela was awarded the Medal by both the US Army and the US Navy for the same action during the Battle of Soissons in World War I. He was also awarded decorations from France, Italy, and his native Yugoslavia.
Louis Cuk...
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Louis Cukela, born Vjekoslav Lujo Čukela, (Croatian: Vjekoslav Lujo Čukela, pronounced "luyo chukela"; May 1, 1888 – March 19, 1956) was a United States Marine numbered among the nineteen two-time recipients of the Medal of Honor. Cukela was awarded the Medal by both the US Army and the US Navy for the same action during the Battle of Soissons in World War I. He was also awarded decorations from France, Italy, and his native Yugoslavia.
Louis Cukela, an ethnic Croat, was born Vjekoslav Lujo Čukela on May 1 1888 in the Dalmatian city of Split, Croatia (at the time Kingdom of Dalmatia, Austro-Hungarian Empire; Yugoslavia after 1918). He was educated in the grade schools of Split, then attended the Merchant Academy and later, the Royal Gymnasium, both for two year courses. In 1913, Cukela emigrated to the United States and he and his brother settled in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
On September 21, 1914, he enlisted in the United States Army. He was serving as a corporal in Company H, 13th...
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