Louis Cukela

Louis Cukela (May 1, 1888 – March 19, 1956) was a Croatian American 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 Kingdom of Yugoslavia.

Famous for his broken English, best exemplified by his unforgettable saying, "If I want to send a goddamned fool, I'd go myself" (when a messenger came back with a stupid garbled reply).

• Hr | En | De
• http://www.naval-history.net/WW1MedalsUS-MoH.htm

Biography

Louis Cukela was born on May 1, 1888 in the Dalmatian city of Split Croatia (at the time Kingdom of Dalmatia, Austro-Hungarian Empire) to George and Johana (Bubrich) Cukela. His mother died in 1900. 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; his father and three sisters remained in Austria-Hungary.

On September 21, 1914, he enlisted in the United States Army. He was serving as a corporal in Company H, 13th Infantry Regiment when he was honorably discharged on June 12, 1916.

World War I

Seven months later, on January 31, 1917, with World War I raging in Europe and prior to the United States entry into the war, Cukela enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He became a member of the 66th Company, 1st Battalion, Fifth Marine Regiment.

He was deployed to France in 1918 and fought in all the engagements in which the 5th Marines participated, from Belleau Wood to the Meuse River Crossing.

Along the way he collected a commission as a second lieutenant, as well as the Medal of Honor and four Silver Star Citations. From the French, there was the Legion d’Honneur, the Médaille militaire (the first award of this prestigious decoration to a Marine officer) and the Croix de guerre 1914–18 with two palms and one silver star. Italy decorated him with the Croce al Merito di Guerra, while Yugoslavia weighed in with the Commander's Cross of the Royal Order of the Crown of Yugoslavia.

He was awarded the Medal of Honor by both the Army and the Navy (in the "Tiffany Cross" pattern for the same action on the morning of July 18, 1918, near Villiers-Cotterets, France, during the Soissons engagement. The 66th Company, 5th Marines, in which Cukela was then a gunnery sergeant, was advancing through the Forest de Retz when it was held up by an enemy strong point. Despite the warnings of his men, the gunnery sergeant crawled out from the flank and advanced alone towards the German lines. Getting beyond the strong point despite heavy fire, "Gunny" Cukela captured one gun by bayoneting its crew. Picking up their hand grenades, he then demolished the remaining portion of the strong point from the shelter of a nearby gun pit. He took four prisoners and captured two undamaged machine guns.

Cukela was wounded in action twice but since there is no record of either wound at the Navy's Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, he was never awarded the Purple Heart. The first wound was suffered at Jaulny, France, on September 16, 1918 during the St. Mihiel engagement. Cukela was wounded again during the fighting in the Champagne sector. Neither wound was serious.

In addition to the two Medals of Honor, Cukela was awarded the Silver Star by the Army; the Médaille militaire (he was the first Marine officer ever to receive this medal), the Légion d'honneur in the rank of Chevalier, the Croix de guerre with two palms, another Croix de guerre with Silver Star, all by France; the Croce al Merito di Guerra by Italy; and Commander's Cross of the Royal Order of the Crown of Yugoslavia. He also received three Second Division citations.

Cukela received a field appointment to the rank of second lieutenant in the Marine Corps Reserve on September 26, 1918 and was selected for a commission in the regular Marine Corps on March 31, 1919. Promoted to first lieutenant on July 17, 1919, he was advanced to the rank of captain on September 15, 1921. His promotion to major was effected on the day of his retirement, June 30, 1940.

After World War I

After the war, Cukela served at overseas bases in Haiti, Santo Domingo, the Philippines, and China, and at domestic stations in Quantico, Virginia; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Norfolk, Virginia; Hampton Roads, Virginia; Mare Island, California; Washington, D.C.; Nashville, Indiana, and Fort Knox, Kentucky.

Cukela served as a second lieutenant of United States Marine Corps stationed at Maissade, Republic of Haiti in the times of the Caco War of 1919–1920. By 1919, Haitian Charlemagne Péralte had organized more than a thousand armed guerrillas (called cacos), to militarily oppose the United States Marine occupation. The marines responded to the resistance with a counterinsurgency campaign that razed villages, killed thousands of Haitians, and destroyed the livelihoods of even more. Cukela was the one of the US military personnel questioned by a US Senate committee for the atrocities he committed and abuse of power. Cukela executed a group of prisoners in the middle of a Marine camp there. For this atrocity he was not courtmartialled rather transferred to another camp. General Barnett, Marine Corps Commandant in 1920 set up a board headed by Colonel J. H. Russel to decide which wartime temporary officers would be retired, demoted, or discharged. Educated men of good family were preferred over formerly enlisted men with little formal education. As a consequence of those criteria Cukela was demoted from first lieutenant to second lieutenant despite his wartime heroism.

From June 1933 to January 1934, Cukela served as a company commander with the Civilian Conservation Corps. His last years in the Marine Corps were spent at Norfolk, where he served as the post quartermaster. Retired as a major on June 30, 1940, he was recalled to active duty on July 30, of the same year.

Retirement and death

During World War II the major served at Norfolk and Philadelphia. He finally returned to the inactive retired list on May 17, 1946. Cukela served a few days less than 32 years of active duty in the Army and Marines.

On March 19, 1956, Cukela died at the U.S. Naval Hospital, Bethesda, Maryland. Following services at St. Jane Frances de Chantel Church, Bethesda, he was buried with full military honors in Arlington National Cemetery on March 22, 1956.

Decorations

Major Cukela had the following decorations and medals:

• "Medal of Honor" (Navy) (Medalja časti, mornarica),
• "Medal of Honor" (Army) (Medalja časti, vojska),
• "Silver Star"
• "World War I Victory Medal" with Aisne, Aisne-Marne, St. Mihiel, Meuse-Argonne, and Defensive Sector clasps and three silver stars
• "Haitian Campaign Medal"
• "Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal" with one star
• "Yangtze Service Medal"
• "American Defense Service Medal"
• "American Area Campaign Medal"
• "World War II Victory Medal
• "Médaille militaire"
• "Légion d'honneur (Chevalier)"
• "Croix de guerre" (Cross of War) with two palms and silver star
• "Croce al Merito di Guerra"
• Commander's Cross of the Royal Order of the "Crown of Yugoslavia"
• French "Fourragère"

Medal of Honor citations

Navy citation:

For extraordinary heroism while serving with the 66th Company, 5th Regiment, during action in Forest de Retz, near Viller-Cottertes, France, July 18, 1918. Sgt. Cukela advanced alone against an enemy strong point that was holding up his line. Disregarding the warnings of his comrades, he crawled out from the flank in the face of heavy fire and worked his way to the rear of the enemy position. Rushing a machine-gun emplacement, he killed or drove off the crew with his bayonet, bombed out the remaining part of the strong point with German hand grenades, and captured two machineguns and four men.

Army citation:

When his company, advancing through a wood, met with strong resistance from an enemy strong point, Sgt. Cukela crawled out from the flank and made his way toward the German lines in the face of heavy fire, disregarding the warnings of his comrades. He succeeded in getting behind the enemy position and rushed a machinegun emplacement, killing or driving off the crew with his bayonet. With German hand grenades he then bombed out the remaining portion of the strong point, capturing 4 men and 2 damaged machineguns.

Personal life and family

Louis Cukela was the son of Ivan and Ivan (born Bubrić) Cukela. His mother died in 1900. After that, he moved to the United States. His father and his three sisters stayed in Croatia.

Cukela was married to Minnie Myrtle Strayer of Miflintown, Pennsylvania on December 22, 1923 in Washington, D.C. Mrs. Cukela died on August 10, 1956 just months after Major Cukela. At the time of his death, Major Cukela was also survived by a sister, Mrs. Zorka Cukela Dvoracek, of Šibenik, Croatia.

There were controversies around Cukela's origin. He rarely talked about his origins. During his lifetime he was called Croatian, Austrian, Slavic, Yugoslav, Serbian.

Interesting thing

In the history of the United States there were only 19 double winners of the Medal of Honor, one of them being Croat Louis Cukela (Lujo Čukela).

18 July 1918 - Sergeant LOUIS CUKELA USMC, near Viller-Cottertes, 66th Company, 5th Regiment. Born: 1 May 1888, Sebenes, Austria. Accredited to: Minnesota. (Also received Army Medal of Honor.) Citation: For extraordinary heroism while serving with the 66th Company, 5th Regiment, during action in the Forest de Retz, near Viller-Cottertes, France, 18 July 1918. Sgt. Cukela (left - as Major) advanced alone against an enemy strong point that was holding up his line. Disregarding the warnings of his comrades, he crawled out from the flank in the face of heavy fire and worked his way to the rear of the enemy position. Rushing a machine gun emplacement, he killed or drove off the crew with his bayonet, bombed out the remaining part of the strong point with German hand grenades and captured 2 machine guns and 4 men.

• Source: http://www.naval-history.net/WW1MedalsUS-MoH.htm
• Note: He was born in Split (Spalato), Croatia not in Šibenik (Sebens, Sebenico)

Birth:

MKR 64 - https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G99X-FGSQ?i=480&wc=9R2...

Articles and other sources

• http://www.militaryhallofhonor.com/honoree-record.php?id=68
• https://www.express.hr/life/lujo-hrvat-kojem-se-amerika-klanjala-584#
• https://vojnapovijest.vecernji.hr/vojna-povijest/umro-louis-cukela-...
• https://vojnapovijest.vecernji.hr/vojna-povijest/medalja-casti-1862...
• https://www.24sata.hr/news/legendarni-marinac-hrvat-kojemu-se-ameri...
• https://www.jutarnji.hr/vijesti/neznani-hrvatski-junak-jedan-je-od-...
• Louis Cukela mention in the book Backbone: History, Traditions, and Leadership Lessons of Marine Corps NCOs, book online
• https://inavukic.com/2013/11/11/war-veterans-in-u-s-a-of-croatian-d...
• http://www.burnpit.us/2014/07/gunnery-sergeant-louis-cukela-receive...
• http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/9746/1/Louis-Cukela-recipient...
• http://military.wikia.com/wiki/Louis_Cukela
• https://wiki2.org/en/Louis_Cukela
• http://povijest.hr/vazneosobe/hrvatski-vojnik-koji-je-stekao-najvis...
• http://enciklopedija.hr/Natuknica.aspx?ID=12963
• http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/louiscuk.htm
• https://www.military.com/history/maj-louis-cukela.html
• http://www.militaryhallofhonor.com/honoree-record.php?id=68
• http://www.croatia.org/crown/croatians/www.croatians.com/MEDAL%20OF...

Lujo Čukela ili Louis Cukela (1. svibnja 1888. - 19. ožujka 1956.) bio je marinac Sjedinjenih država, hrvatskog podrijetla, koji je odlikovan Medaljom časti od Američke vojske i Američke mornarice za isto djelo tijekom Prvog svjetskog rata u bitci za Soissons (1918). Također je odlikovan i odlikovanjima Francuske, Italije, i Jugoslavije.

• Hr | En | De
• http://www.naval-history.net/WW1MedalsUS-MoH.htm

Luj Čukela rođen je u Splitu, (tada Austro-Ugarska). Obrazovan je u Splitu, zatim je pohađao trgovačku akademiju i zatim Kraljevsku gimnaziju, oboje po dvije godine. 1913., Čukela se odselio u SAD, on i njegova braća doselili su se u Minneapolis u Minesoti.

21. rujna 1914., prijavio se u Američku vojsku. Bio je narednik u satniji H, 13. pješačke dok nije časno raspušten 12. lipnja 1916.

Prvi svjetski rat

Sedam mjeseci kasnije, 31. siječnja 1917., dok je rat uzimao maha u Europi i SAD ušao u rat, Čukela se prijavio u Američke marince. Postao je članom 66. satnije, 1. bojne, 5. mornaričke pukovnije.[1]

Prebačen je u Francusku 1918. i borio se u svim sukobima koje je imala 5. mornarička pukovnija, od Bitke za Belleau Wood do prelaženja rijeke Maas.[1]

U Francuskoj 1918. Čukela se borio u svakoj bitci mornaričke brigade, od Bellau Wooda do prelaženja rijeke Maas. Putem je postao podporučnik, i dobitnik Medalje časti i četiri Srebrne zvijezde. Od Francuske dobio je "Legion d’Honneur" (Medalju Legije časti), "Medaille Militaire" (Vojnu medalju) (Prvi marinac nagrađen ovim odlikovanjem u povijesti) i "Croix de Guerre 1914-18" (Ratni križ 1914. - 1918.) s dvjema palmama i jednom srebrnom zvijezdom. Italija ga je odlikovala "Croce al Merito di Guerra" (Križem za ratne zasluge), a Jugoslavija Kraljevskim redom kraljevske krune.

Medaljom časti bio je nagrađen i od vojske i od mornarice za isto djelo u jutro 18. srpnja 1918. blizu Villers-Cotteretsa, Francuska, tijekom Bitke za Soissons. 66. satnija, 5. mornaričke, u kojoj je Čukela bio strojnički narednik, napredovala je kroz Forest de Retz te je dočekan neprijateljskom obrambenom točkom. Oglušujući se na upozorenja svojih vojnika, strojnički narednik šuljajući je izbjegao krilo i sam zaobišao njemačke obrambene linije. Zaobilazeći obrambenu točku zbog bojazni od velike pucnjave, "Gunny" Čukela zauzeo je jednu strojnicu bajunetirajući grupu na strojnici. Podigao je njihove ručne granate, granatama uništio sve strojnice u dometu i tako uništio obrambenu točku. U ishodu imao je četiri zarobljenika i zarobio je dvije neoštećene strojnice.

Čekula je u akciji bio ranjen dva puta, ali od tada nema više pisanih dokumenata o daljnim ranjavanjima kod Mornaričkog ureda medicine. Nikada nije nagrađen s "Purple Heart" Grimiznim srcem što je uobičajeno kod vojnika ozbiljno ranjenih ili ubijenih u akciji. Prvi puta ranjen je u Jaulnyu u Francuskoj, 16. rujna 1918. tijekom bitke na St. Mihielu. Čukela je ponovno bio ranjen tijekom borbe u Champagne sektoru. Nijedno ranjavanje nije bilo ozbiljno.

Uz dvije Medalje časti (Medal of Honour), Čukela je nagrađen i sa Srebrnom zvijezdom "Silver Star" od vojske; "Médaille militaire" (Vojna medalja) (Bio je prvi marinac koji je primio tu medalju), "Légion d'honneur" (Medalja Legije časti) u činu "Chevalier"a, "Croix de guerre" (Ratni križ) s dvjema palmama, drugi "Croix de guerre" (Ratni križ) sa srebrnom zvijezdom, sve od Francuske; "Croce al Merito di Guerra" (Križ za ratne zasluge) od Italije; i Lasnički križ kraljevskog reda krune od Kraljevine Jugoslavije. Također je primio dva Divizijska citata (američka vojna nagrada).

Čukela je imao čin podporučnika u Marine Corps Reserveu (Mornarička rezerva) na 26. rujan 1918. i bio je izabran za proviziju u regularnom Marine Corpsu na 31. ožujak 1919. Promaknut je u poručnika 17. srpnja 1919. Napredovao je u čin satnika 15. rujna 1921. Promaknuće u bojnika dogodilo se oko njegova umirovljenja na 30. lipanj 1940.

Poslije Prvog svjetskog rata

Poslije rata, Čukela je boravio u prekomorskim bazama u Haitiu, Santo Domingou, Filipinima, i Kini, i u američkim postajama u Quanticou u Virginiji; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Norfolk, Virginia; Hampton Roads, Virginia; Mare Island, Kalifornija; Washington, D.C.; Nashville, Indiana, i Fort Knox, Kentucky.

Od lipnja 1933. do siječnja 1934., Čukela je djelovao kao zapovjednik satnije s "Civilian Conservation Corps"-om. Posljednje godine u marincima provedene su u Norfolku, Gdje je služio kao poštarski indendant. Umirovljen je kao bojnik 30. lipnja 1940. Bio je pozvan na dužnost ponovo 30. srpnja 1940.

Umirovljenje i smrt

Tijekom Drugog svjetskog rata služio je u Norfolku i Philadelphiji. U neaktivnu mirovinu vratio se 17. svibnja 1946. Čukela je služio u vojsci i mornarici 32 godine.

19. ožujka 1956. Čukela je umro u National Naval Medical Centeru (Nacionalni mornarički medicinski centar), Bethesda, Maryland. Pokopni obred bio je u Saint Jane Frances de Chantel crkvi, Bethesda, pokopan je s vojnim počastima u Arlington National Cemeteryu 22. ožujka, 1956.[2]

Odlikovanja

Bojnik Čukela imao je sljedeća odlikovanja i medalje:

• "Medal of Honor" (Mornarica) (Medalja časti, mornarica),
• "Medal of Honor" (Vojska) (Medalja časti, vojska),
• "Silver Star" (Srebrna zvijzeda),
• "Victory Medal" (Pobjednička medalja) s kopčom Aisne, Aisne-Marne, St. Mihiel, Meuse-Argonne, i obrambenog sektora i tri srebrne zvijezde,
• "Haitian Campaign Medal" (Haićanska kampanjska medalja),
• "Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal" (Mornarička ekspedicijska medalja) s jednom zvijezdom,
• "Yangtze Service Medal" (Medalja za službu u Yangtzeu),
• "American Defense Service Medal" (Američka medalja za obrambenu službu),
• "American Area Campaign Medal" (Kampanjska medalja za američki prostor),
• "World War II Victory Medal (Pobjednička medalja iz Drugog svjetskog rata),
• "Médaille militaire" (Vojna medalja),
• "Légion d'honneur (Medalja Legije časti),
• "Croix de guerre" (Ratni križ) s dvjema palmama,
• "Croix de guerre" (Ratni križ) sa srebrnom zvijezdom,
• "Croce al Merito di Guerra" (Križ za ratne zasluge),
• "Časnički križ kraljevskog reda jugoslavenske krune,
• francuski "fourragère".

Obitelj i porijeklo

Luj Čukela bio je sin Ivana i Ivane (rođene Bubrić) Čukela. Majka mu je umrla 1900. Poslije toga seli u SAD., Njegov otac i njegove tri sestre ostali su u Hrvatskoj.[2]

Čukela je bio oženjen s Minnie Myrtle Strayer 22. prosinca 1923. u Washingtonu. Gospođa Čukela umrla je 10. kolovoza 1956. samo mjesec nakon smrti bojnika Čukele. U vrijeme njegove smrti bojnika Čukelu nadživjela je njegova sestra, gospođa Zorka Čukela Dvoraček, u Šibeniku.

Bilo je kontroveze oko Čukelina porijekla. Rijetko je govorio o svome porijeklu. Tijekom života nazivan je Hrvatom, Austrijancem, Slavenom, Jugoslavenom, Srbijancem.

Zanimljivost

U cijeloj povijesti SAD-a bilo je samo 19 dvostrukih dobitnika Medalje časti, a jedan od njih je Hrvat Lujo Čukela.

18 July 1918 - Sergeant LOUIS CUKELA USMC, near Viller-Cottertes, 66th Company, 5th Regiment. Born: 1 May 1888, Sebenes, Austria. Accredited to: Minnesota. (Also received Army Medal of Honor.) Citation: For extraordinary heroism while serving with the 66th Company, 5th Regiment, during action in the Forest de Retz, near Viller-Cottertes, France, 18 July 1918. Sgt. Cukela (left - as Major) advanced alone against an enemy strong point that was holding up his line. Disregarding the warnings of his comrades, he crawled out from the flank in the face of heavy fire and worked his way to the rear of the enemy position. Rushing a machine gun emplacement, he killed or drove off the crew with his bayonet, bombed out the remaining part of the strong point with German hand grenades and captured 2 machine guns and 4 men.

• Izvor: http://www.naval-history.net/WW1MedalsUS-MoH.htm
• Napomena: Rodio se u Splitu (Spalato) Croatia, a ne u Šibeniku (Sebens, Sebenico)

MKR 64 - https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G99X-FGSQ?i=480&wc=9R2...

Članci i ostali izvori

• http://www.militaryhallofhonor.com/honoree-record.php?id=68
• https://www.express.hr/life/lujo-hrvat-kojem-se-amerika-klanjala-584#
• https://vojnapovijest.vecernji.hr/vojna-povijest/umro-louis-cukela-...
• https://vojnapovijest.vecernji.hr/vojna-povijest/medalja-casti-1862...
• https://www.24sata.hr/news/legendarni-marinac-hrvat-kojemu-se-ameri...
• https://www.jutarnji.hr/vijesti/neznani-hrvatski-junak-jedan-je-od-...
• Louis Cukela mention in the book Backbone: History, Traditions, and Leadership Lessons of Marine Corps NCOs, book online
• https://inavukic.com/2013/11/11/war-veterans-in-u-s-a-of-croatian-d...
• http://www.burnpit.us/2014/07/gunnery-sergeant-louis-cukela-receive...
• http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/9746/1/Louis-Cukela-recipient...
• http://military.wikia.com/wiki/Louis_Cukela
• https://wiki2.org/en/Louis_Cukela
• http://povijest.hr/vazneosobe/hrvatski-vojnik-koji-je-stekao-najvis...
• http://enciklopedija.hr/Natuknica.aspx?ID=12963
• http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/louiscuk.htm
• https://www.military.com/history/maj-louis-cukela.html
• http://www.militaryhallofhonor.com/honoree-record.php?id=68
• http://www.croatia.org/crown/croatians/www.croatians.com/MEDAL%20OF...

Lujo Čukela ili Louis Cukela (1. svibnja 1888. - 19. ožujka 1956.) bio je marinac Sjedinjenih država, hrvatskog podrijetla, koji je odlikovan Medaljom časti od Američke vojske i Američke mornarice za isto djelo tijekom Prvog svjetskog rata u bitci za Soissons (1918). Također je odlikovan i odlikovanjima Francuske, Italije, i Jugoslavije.

• Hr | En | De
• http://www.naval-history.net/WW1MedalsUS-MoH.htm

Luj Čukela rođen je u Splitu, (tada Austro-Ugarska). Obrazovan je u Splitu, zatim je pohađao trgovačku akademiju i zatim Kraljevsku gimnaziju, oboje po dvije godine. 1913., Čukela se odselio u SAD, on i njegova braća doselili su se u Minneapolis u Minesoti.

21. rujna 1914., prijavio se u Američku vojsku. Bio je narednik u satniji H, 13. pješačke dok nije časno raspušten 12. lipnja 1916.

Prvi svjetski rat

Sedam mjeseci kasnije, 31. siječnja 1917., dok je rat uzimao maha u Europi i SAD ušao u rat, Čukela se prijavio u Američke marince. Postao je članom 66. satnije, 1. bojne, 5. mornaričke pukovnije.[1]

Prebačen je u Francusku 1918. i borio se u svim sukobima koje je imala 5. mornarička pukovnija, od Bitke za Belleau Wood do prelaženja rijeke Maas.[1]

U Francuskoj 1918. Čukela se borio u svakoj bitci mornaričke brigade, od Bellau Wooda do prelaženja rijeke Maas. Putem je postao podporučnik, i dobitnik Medalje časti i četiri Srebrne zvijezde. Od Francuske dobio je "Legion d’Honneur" (Medalju Legije časti), "Medaille Militaire" (Vojnu medalju) (Prvi marinac nagrađen ovim odlikovanjem u povijesti) i "Croix de Guerre 1914-18" (Ratni križ 1914. - 1918.) s dvjema palmama i jednom srebrnom zvijezdom. Italija ga je odlikovala "Croce al Merito di Guerra" (Križem za ratne zasluge), a Jugoslavija Kraljevskim redom kraljevske krune.

Medaljom časti bio je nagrađen i od vojske i od mornarice za isto djelo u jutro 18. srpnja 1918. blizu Villers-Cotteretsa, Francuska, tijekom Bitke za Soissons. 66. satnija, 5. mornaričke, u kojoj je Čukela bio strojnički narednik, napredovala je kroz Forest de Retz te je dočekan neprijateljskom obrambenom točkom. Oglušujući se na upozorenja svojih vojnika, strojnički narednik šuljajući je izbjegao krilo i sam zaobišao njemačke obrambene linije. Zaobilazeći obrambenu točku zbog bojazni od velike pucnjave, "Gunny" Čukela zauzeo je jednu strojnicu bajunetirajući grupu na strojnici. Podigao je njihove ručne granate, granatama uništio sve strojnice u dometu i tako uništio obrambenu točku. U ishodu imao je četiri zarobljenika i zarobio je dvije neoštećene strojnice.

Čekula je u akciji bio ranjen dva puta, ali od tada nema više pisanih dokumenata o daljnim ranjavanjima kod Mornaričkog ureda medicine. Nikada nije nagrađen s "Purple Heart" Grimiznim srcem što je uobičajeno kod vojnika ozbiljno ranjenih ili ubijenih u akciji. Prvi puta ranjen je u Jaulnyu u Francuskoj, 16. rujna 1918. tijekom bitke na St. Mihielu. Čukela je ponovno bio ranjen tijekom borbe u Champagne sektoru. Nijedno ranjavanje nije bilo ozbiljno.

Uz dvije Medalje časti (Medal of Honour), Čukela je nagrađen i sa Srebrnom zvijezdom "Silver Star" od vojske; "Médaille militaire" (Vojna medalja) (Bio je prvi marinac koji je primio tu medalju), "Légion d'honneur" (Medalja Legije časti) u činu "Chevalier"a, "Croix de guerre" (Ratni križ) s dvjema palmama, drugi "Croix de guerre" (Ratni križ) sa srebrnom zvijezdom, sve od Francuske; "Croce al Merito di Guerra" (Križ za ratne zasluge) od Italije; i Lasnički križ kraljevskog reda krune od Kraljevine Jugoslavije. Također je primio dva Divizijska citata (američka vojna nagrada).

Čukela je imao čin podporučnika u Marine Corps Reserveu (Mornarička rezerva) na 26. rujan 1918. i bio je izabran za proviziju u regularnom Marine Corpsu na 31. ožujak 1919. Promaknut je u poručnika 17. srpnja 1919. Napredovao je u čin satnika 15. rujna 1921. Promaknuće u bojnika dogodilo se oko njegova umirovljenja na 30. lipanj 1940.

Poslije Prvog svjetskog rata

Poslije rata, Čukela je boravio u prekomorskim bazama u Haitiu, Santo Domingou, Filipinima, i Kini, i u američkim postajama u Quanticou u Virginiji; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Norfolk, Virginia; Hampton Roads, Virginia; Mare Island, Kalifornija; Washington, D.C.; Nashville, Indiana, i Fort Knox, Kentucky.

Od lipnja 1933. do siječnja 1934., Čukela je djelovao kao zapovjednik satnije s "Civilian Conservation Corps"-om. Posljednje godine u marincima provedene su u Norfolku, Gdje je služio kao poštarski indendant. Umirovljen je kao bojnik 30. lipnja 1940. Bio je pozvan na dužnost ponovo 30. srpnja 1940.

Umirovljenje i smrt

Tijekom Drugog svjetskog rata služio je u Norfolku i Philadelphiji. U neaktivnu mirovinu vratio se 17. svibnja 1946. Čukela je služio u vojsci i mornarici 32 godine.

19. ožujka 1956. Čukela je umro u National Naval Medical Centeru (Nacionalni mornarički medicinski centar), Bethesda, Maryland. Pokopni obred bio je u Saint Jane Frances de Chantel crkvi, Bethesda, pokopan je s vojnim počastima u Arlington National Cemeteryu 22. ožujka, 1956.[2]

Odlikovanja

Bojnik Čukela imao je sljedeća odlikovanja i medalje:

• "Medal of Honor" (Mornarica) (Medalja časti, mornarica),
• "Medal of Honor" (Vojska) (Medalja časti, vojska),
• "Silver Star" (Srebrna zvijzeda),
• "Victory Medal" (Pobjednička medalja) s kopčom Aisne, Aisne-Marne, St. Mihiel, Meuse-Argonne, i obrambenog sektora i tri srebrne zvijezde,
• "Haitian Campaign Medal" (Haićanska kampanjska medalja),
• "Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal" (Mornarička ekspedicijska medalja) s jednom zvijezdom,
• "Yangtze Service Medal" (Medalja za službu u Yangtzeu),
• "American Defense Service Medal" (Američka medalja za obrambenu službu),
• "American Area Campaign Medal" (Kampanjska medalja za američki prostor),
• "World War II Victory Medal (Pobjednička medalja iz Drugog svjetskog rata),
• "Médaille militaire" (Vojna medalja),
• "Légion d'honneur (Medalja Legije časti),
• "Croix de guerre" (Ratni križ) s dvjema palmama,
• "Croix de guerre" (Ratni križ) sa srebrnom zvijezdom,
• "Croce al Merito di Guerra" (Križ za ratne zasluge),
• "Časnički križ kraljevskog reda jugoslavenske krune,
• francuski "fourragère".

Obitelj i porijeklo

Luj Čukela bio je sin Ivana i Ivane (rođene Bubrić) Čukela. Majka mu je umrla 1900. Poslije toga seli u SAD., Njegov otac i njegove tri sestre ostali su u Hrvatskoj.[2]

Čukela je bio oženjen s Minnie Myrtle Strayer 22. prosinca 1923. u Washingtonu. Gospođa Čukela umrla je 10. kolovoza 1956. samo mjesec nakon smrti bojnika Čukele. U vrijeme njegove smrti bojnika Čukelu nadživjela je njegova sestra, gospođa Zorka Čukela Dvoraček, u Šibeniku.

Bilo je kontroveze oko Čukelina porijekla. Rijetko je govorio o svome porijeklu. Tijekom života nazivan je Hrvatom, Austrijancem, Slavenom, Jugoslavenom, Srbijancem.

Zanimljivost

U cijeloj povijesti SAD-a bilo je samo 19 dvostrukih dobitnika Medalje časti, a jedan od njih je Hrvat Lujo Čukela.

MKR 64 - https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G99X-FGSQ?i=480&wc=9R2...