Anthony J. Chirafisi served in the United States Army during World War I. He would be awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. His award citation reads: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Sergeant Anthony J. Chirafisi (ASN: 736116), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company H, 11th Infantry Regiment, 5th Division, A.E.F., near Brandeville, France, 8 November 1918. Sergeant Chirafisi volunteered to establish liaison between the battalions of his regiment. He crossed a valley under heavy artillery fire and climbed for over an hour on a hill exposed to steady machine-gun fire, accomplished his mission, and returned by the same route.