Career
Krotiak joined the Army from his birth city of Chicago, Illinois in November 1941, and by May 8, 1945 was serving as a private first class in Company I, 148th Infantry Regiment, 37th Infantry Division. On that day, in the Balete Pass, Luzon, the Philippines, he smothered the blast of a Japanese-thrown grenade with his body, sacrificing himself to protect those around him. Krotiak, aged 29 at his death, was buried in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Alsip, Illinois.